Bhubaneswar, Sep 2 (FN Bureau) Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High Performance Centre (ONTHHPC), which runs a well-knit Grassroots Hockey program in Odisha, has launched three new centers. These new centres were launched in Nabarangpur, Jagatsinghpur, and Subarnapur districts of Odisha through virtual inauguration ceremony graced by former Indian Hockey Team captain, Padma Shri Dilip Tirkey. Director of Sports Siddhartha Das and ONTHHPC Project Director Rajiv Seth besides senior officials of the three districts attended the programme. Guided by the expertise of the Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High-Performance Centre, known for shaping elite-class hockey players, these centers will play a pivotal role in nurturing emerging talent, Tirkey said.
He said these grassroots training programs play an instrumental role in developing players to national and international standards. Out of the coaches of the three new centers, two are ex-HPC female athletes, reflecting the principle of backward integration, he said. Odisha Sports Director Siddhartha Das, said the expansion of these centers signifies a promising future for hockey in Odisha, nurturing a new generation of talents. Established in 2019 through collaboration between the Government of Odisha, Tata Steel, and Tata Trusts, Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High-Performance Centre (ONTHHPC) is operated from the iconic Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
The HPCs currently host a cohort of 3000 cadets, chosen meticulously from state and national talent pools, from both genders. They receive world-class facilities and training, refining their skills for international competitions, with essential infrastructure commendably provided by the Government of Odisha and expertly managed by ONTHHPC. The HPC also promotes grassroots hockey across 12 districts in Odisha, supervising 28 operational grassroots centers, including 20 Astro turfs and 8 grass pitch centers.