Former BJP Odisha president Samir Mohanty is set to lead the Odisha Olympic Association (OOA) as its president.
Mohanty, who was the sole candidate for the position, is expected to be formally announced as the new president on March 30, 2025.
All 22 office-bearers of the OOA, including General Secretary Avijit Paul, have been elected unopposed for the term spanning 2025 to 2029. This leadership team will play a crucial role in promoting sports, supporting athletes, and representing Odisha at national and international events.
The OOA oversees various sports associations in the state, including cricket, football, hockey, tennis, and badminton. It also shoulders the responsibility of selecting athletes to represent India in global competitions.
Samir Mohanty, representing the Bhubaneswar Athletic Association, comes with a strong political background. He began his journey as a student leader with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and later served as the president of the BJP Odisha State Unit for three years until January 2023. Mohanty also contested the Assembly elections from the Ekamra-Bhubaneswar seat in 2009.
The election results, expected to be officially announced on March 30, mark a new chapter for the Odisha Olympic Association in its mission to advance sports in the state.
