Sambalpur, Apr 24: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated Late Suresh Seth Memorial Sambalpur Kabaddi Premier League (Season 3) at the Town Hall grounds in Sambalpur.

Serving as the chief guest, Pradhan highlighted the importance of sports in nurturing discipline, teamwork, and resilience among the youth.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister noted that Sambalpur district has a rich sporting tradition, with football, hockey, cricket, swimming, and kabaddi forming an integral part of its cultural fabric. He emphasised that the National Education Policy recognises sports as an essential component of learning, and initiatives like the Kabaddi Premier League align perfectly with this vision. Twelve teams are participating in this year’s league, showcasing the growing enthusiasm for kabaddi in the region.

ସମ୍ବଲପୁର ଠାରେ “ସ୍ୱର୍ଗତ ସୁରେଶ ସେଠ୍ ମେମୋରିଆଲ୍ ସମ୍ବଲପୁର କବାଡି ପ୍ରିମିୟର ଲିଗ୍"ର ତୃତୀୟ ସଂସ୍କରଣରେ ଯୋଗଦେଲି । ସମ୍ବଲପୁର ଜିଲ୍ଲାରେ ଫୁଟବଲ, ହକି, କ୍ରିକେଟ୍ ସମେତ କବାଡି ଓ ଅନ୍ୟାନ୍ୟ ଖେଳର ଏକ ସମୃଦ୍ଧ ପରମ୍ପରା ରହିଛି । ସମ୍ବଲପୁର କବାଡି କ୍ଲବ୍ ଏବଂ ସମ୍ବଲପୁର ବଏଜ୍‌ଙ୍କ ମିଳିତ ଉଦ୍ୟମରେ ଆରମ୍ଭ ହୋଇଥିବା ଏହି ପ୍ରୟାସ… pic.twitter.com/p8FZnZUUPk

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) April 23, 2026

Pradhan praised the joint efforts of Sambalpur Kabaddi Club and Sambalpur Boys in organising the tournament, calling it a significant step toward strengthening the sporting spirit among the younger generation. He assured full support for future endeavors, including collective efforts to host a national-level kabaddi tournament in Sambalpur.

On the sidelines of the event, it was revealed that the Odisha state government is planning to construct a modern kabaddi stadium in Sambalpur, further boosting the district’s sports infrastructure. Extending his best wishes to all participating players, Pradhan reiterated the importance of holistic sports development for the nation’s youth.