Khordha (29/8): National Sports Day 2026 was celebrated with great enthusiasm at Rasol in Bolgarh Block of Khordha district on August 29. The programme was organised by Ramakrishna Mission, Bhubaneswar, in cooperation with Sri Ramakrishna Sevashram, Tikatal, a member Ashrama of the Odisha Ramakrishna Vivekananda Bhava Prachar Parishad.
To commemorate the occasion, a friendly football match was organised between Maa Mangala and Trinath Dev teams. The match was inaugurated by Swami Atmaprabhananda, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission, Bhubaneswar. In an exciting contest, Maa Mangala emerged victorious with a score of 3–2 and received the winner’s trophy.
A meeting was held after the match, with Swami Atmaprabhananda as the Chief Guest. Basudeb Sahoo, Vice-President, Khordha Zilla BJP, attended as the Guest of Honour, while Sarbeswar Sahoo, Assistant Secretary, Sri Ramakrishna Sevashram, served as the coordinator.
In his introductory address, Sri Sahoo highlighted the dedication, discipline and contribution of the legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand, popularly known as the “Hockey Wizard”, to the world of sports. The Guest of Honour encouraged the players to develop their sporting skills, confidence and competitive spirit.
Addressing the gathering, Swami Atmaprabhananda emphasised the importance of sports in maintaining physical fitness and overall well-being. While presenting the trophies, he advised the players and spectators to devote at least one hour every day to sports or physical activity.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Satyanarayan Barik.
The successful celebration was made possible through the dedicated efforts of Braj Kishor Mohapatra, Baikunth Baliarsingh, Golak Sahoo, Babaji Behera, Shyamakant Pattnaik and Raj Kishor Chhualsingh, among others.
Reported by Sanatan Mahakud.
