Bhubaneswar transformed itself and got ready to host 22nd Asian Athletics Championships. The interesting fact is that this transformation is done in just 90 days. Earlier, Ranchi was to host the event, but plans changed at the last minute. The work consisted of renovating the Kalinga Stadium, and beautification of the city.
Last week, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was taken on a golf cart tour of the work site as he inaugurated the brand new synthetic track at the Kalinga Stadium. The renovated areas include the main track, the warm-up track, the newly installed elevators and state-of-the-art high mast floodlights. The event will be held from 5 to 9 July.
Appreciating the work, the CM, “Odisha has come a long way. After setting global benchmarks in disaster management, playing a major role in the food security of the country, becoming a state known for its transparency and anti-corruption measures, we wanted to take up this challenge to show the world how far we have come. The trust that the people of Odisha have put in us has allowed us to make Bhubaneswar the No. 1 Smart City in the country, besides setting benchmarks in the ease of doing business here.”
“With the Asian Athletics Championships, we also want to showcase how ready we are to host global sporting events. We will also be hosting the Hockey World Cup next year, and in the future, we want to be one of the most sought after cities when bigger sporting events take place in India,” he added.
Dutee Chand, Sarbani Nanda, Amiya Kumar Mallick and Jauna Murmu were given cheques worth Rs 3 lakhs by the chief minister.