Odisha celebrates JRD Tata’s legacy with successful hockey tournament at Kalinga Stadium

Bhubaneswar, July 31: The Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High Performance Centre (ONTHHPC) hosted its inaugural JRD Tata Invitational Hockey Tournament from July 24 to 29 at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar. The event celebrated the 120th birth anniversary of JRD Tata, honoring his pioneering contributions to India’s industrial growth and his support for sports and youth development.

The tournament concluded with a grand closing ceremony on July 29 at the Tennis Auditorium Hall in Kalinga Stadium. Competing teams included HPC Teams, National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) Aurangabad, Sports Hostel Panposh, and the Odisha Secretariat. In the girls' final, Sports Hostel Panposh emerged victorious with a 1-0 win over Odisha Secretariat. The boys' final ended with Odisha Naval Tata Hockey HPC-A and Bhubaneswar XI being declared joint winners.

The closing ceremony featured distinguished guests, including Olympian sprinter Srabani Nanda as Chief Guest and Olympian weightlifter Ravi Kumar as Guest of Honour. Rajiv Seth, Project Director of ONTHHPC and Head of Sports (Odisha) at Tata Steel, highlighted the tournament’s role in promoting hockey and paying tribute to JRD Tata's legacy.

A total of nine teams participated, with four girls’ teams and five boys’ teams showcasing their competitive spirit and sportsmanship. The tournament highlighted local talent and regional sports culture, featuring several former Olympians and notable hockey figures from Odisha. Their presence added excitement and inspired young athletes, reflecting the state's rich hockey heritage.

The tournament stands as a tribute to JRD Tata’s lasting impact on Indian industry and sports, commemorating his vision and support for sports development in the nation.