Argus News - Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Flags Off Hirakud International Half Marathon In Sambalpur

Sambalpur, Feb 15: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan flagged off the Hirakud International Half Marathon in Sambalpur on Sunday. The event was organised by Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) under the Fit India campaign in collaboration with the Sambalpur District Administration.

Approximately 15,000 elite and amateur runners from across India, alongside participants from several foreign countries, took part in the marathon. The half-marathon took place at the iconic Hirakud Dam, drawing participation from more than 10,000 athletes from India and abroad, along with over 3,000 school students, our source from the ground informed.

Athletes from countries including Kenya and Sri Lanka took part in the event. The marathon featured races in multiple categories — 21 km, 10 km, 5 km and 1.5 km.

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The event was organised with a focus on promoting fitness and boosting tourism around Hirakud.

Apart from Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Odisha Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari, Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik, Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj and MLA Jayanarayan Mishra were also present at the event.

Encouraging the participants, Union Minister Pradhan said, “I extend my good wishes to the distinguished guests, brothers and sisters participating in the 21 km, 10 km, 5 km and 1.5 km races, as well as to the mediapersons present here. The Hirakud International Half Marathon has been made successful due to the initiatives of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited. Sambalpur has truly demonstrated its sporting spirit, as a large number of people have gathered here early on Sunday morning. The main objective of organising this marathon is to inculcate an athletic mindset among the people of the district and the state, and I believe this initiative will achieve that goal.”

Referring to the country’s larger sporting vision, he said, “We are in 2026, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is making efforts for India to host the 2036 Olympics. Therefore, we have 10 years, from 2026 to 2036, to prepare ourselves so that world-class athletes emerge from this region and represent the nation at the highest level.”

Highlighting the district’s strengths, he added, “Sambalpur is renowned for its textiles, dance, music, agricultural base and industrial prowess. It has immense potential to develop into a major tourism and sports hub in the coming years.”

The marathon kicked off amid enthusiastic participation from athletes and residents.