The Odisha AM/NS India KhoKho High Performance Centre (KHPC) in Puri celebrated its second anniversary on Wednesday by felicitating athletes for their achievements at national and international competitions while inducting a new batch of players through the KhoKho Selection Trials 2026. A joint initiative of ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) and the Government of Odisha, the centre has emerged as a key training hub for KhoKho talent and officials. Over the past two years, its athletes have competed in more than 30 national, regional and state-level tournaments, winning 48 medals across categories. The centre’s trainees have featured prominently in events including the KhoKho World Cup 2025, National Games 2025, Khelo India Youth Games 2025, and the Junior, Senior and Sub-Junior National KhoKho Championships.
During the induction ceremony, 31 athletes from the Junior and Senior categories retained their places, while 19 new athletes, including 10 boys and nine girls, joined the centre. Eight new Junior athletes were also inducted following the progression of senior batches, reinforcing the centre’s structured talent development pipeline. Speaking at the event, AM/NS India Director and Vice President – HR & Administration AshutoshTelang said the centre had become a model for structured training and talent development, reaffirming the company’s commitment to producing world-class KhoKho players. The event was attended by Indian men’s KhoKho team captain Pratik Waikar and other sports administrators and AM/NS India officials.
Athletes were also honoured for excellence in competition, discipline, academics and overall performance before participating in an exhibition match showcasing the sport’s speed, agility and tactical skills. The continued growth of professionally managed sports training centres such as the Odisha AM/NS India KHPC is expected to generate greater interest in indigenous sports across eastern India, including Kolkata. With increasing corporate investment and grassroots development, the initiative could create opportunities for sports equipment suppliers, coaching institutions and event organisers in the region while strengthening the commercial ecosystem around traditional Indian sports.
