Cyber fraud: Man duped by fake adv featuring FM

A resident of Paradip has allegedly lost Rs 2.70 lakh after being lured into an online trading scam through a fake advertisement on Facebook that falsely featured Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday said Indigenous sports are rooted in our history and culture. They have been integral to our communities since time immemorial, inculcating virtues like teamwork, endurance, respect for nature, and collective joy.

Addressing a session on Indigenous Sports- From India to the Global Stage at WAVES 2025 in Mumbai, the Chief Minister said indigenous sports are a way of life, a culture that reflects the wisdom, resilience, and creativity of our ancestors.

Traditional games must be promoted, and expanded to the Global stage, he said according to a release issued by the CMO here.

Drawing from his own upbringing in Keonjhar, a tribal-dominated hinterland district of Odisha, the Chief Minister spoke on his early sporting experiences with kabaddi and kho-kho. These were more than games, they were expressions of teamwork.

Underscoring Odisha's pioneering role in sports development, particularly in the realm of indigenous games, he said Odisha is the first state in India to establish a dedicated High-Performance Centre for an indigenous sport i.e., Kho Kho, in collaboration with AM/NS India.

This landmark initiative redefines the narrative around traditional sports, recognizing them as professional disciplines worthy of structured training, infrastructure, and innovation.

He highlighted the success of Odisha Juggernauts, the only state government-owned franchise in the Ultimate Kho Kho League, which won the league's inaugural season in 2022.

"It stands as a testament to what focused support and strategic investment can achieve," he added.