Bhubaneswar: The latest personality to be bowled over by Odisha’s magnificent rise as the sports hub of India is none other than the versatile actor R Madhavan who also happens to be a great enthusiast of sports and games in the country. Madhavan who was in Odisha as the Chief Guest for the Closing Ceremony of the 48th Junior National Aquatics Championships 2022, here at the iconic Kalinga Stadium, was spellbound with Odisha’s transformation into a world class sporting destination. He was so impressed with the sports infrastructure of the state that he said that Odisha should not be the best kept secret of India anymore.
Madhavan also paid a courtesy call on Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik with his son and wife at Naveen Niwas and discussed about Odisha’s transformation in the sports arena.
Madhavan said “It’s my first visit to Odisha. I was completely blown away with the way the whole city has been organized and on top of that Kalinga Stadium and see why it’s called India’s best kept secret. I don’t think it should be a secret anymore simply because the facilities here are world class and outstanding.”
He also said, “You know there is a structural excellence which is evident but more than that I think the spirit of the people involved is the spirit of champions. I am very impressed and would like to wish them all the very best. The vision is extraordinary; they are very progressive and futuristic in the construction as well.”
He also praised the government efforts to tie up with various bodies and becoming the biggest sponsors of Hockey in India.
The Biju Patnaik Swimming Pool Complex at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar was the venue for the 48th Junior National Swimming Championship 2022, where more than 850 athletes from 30 states of the country competed. The five day extravaganza also saw the presence of many international athletes and personalities from across the world. The upcoming Aquatic Center and the all indoor swimming pool at the Biju Patnaik Swimming complex is the most modern international standard swimming pool in the country capable of hosting international events.
“#Odisha is no longer India’s best kept secret, it’s known to all”, said @ActorMadhavan during his visit to Kalinga Stadium at the #AquaticNationals2022.
Hear him out! pic.twitter.com/mfafkNLmIL
— Odisha Sports (@sports_odisha) July 20, 2022
It is pertinent to note here that the Kalinga Stadium is also very lucky for both Madhavan and his son Vedanta Madhavan as the later has broken the National Junior Record for the 1500 meter freestyle event to clinch the Gold Medal. He also broke the previous record holder’s record and established a new meet record at Bhubaneswar. Vedaant Madhavan clocked 16:01.73 seconds to break Advait Page’s record of 16:06.43 seconds created in 2017.
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