The CM Trophy has been launched in the state. The primary objective is to nurture athletes from the grassroots level. Initially, the government has started with school students, and later it will be organized at the panchayat level.
National Players Will Emerge from Schools
CM Trophy Kicks Off
The CM Trophy has started today in the state. In the preliminary phase, it has been launched in 15 districts. Students under the age of 15 have participated in the event. A total of 284 teams from across the state are participating. This is the first time such an event has been organized, hence only schools have been included. From next year, the CM Trophy will be played at the panchayat level. The Chief Minister, who is an avid football enthusiast and has mentioned on several occasions that he used to play football himself, has initiated this effort to produce more football players from the state. Football coaches have welcomed this initiative by the state government.
The state government is making efforts to produce more national-level players, said Ekamra MLA Babu Singh. The entire responsibility of this tournament has been entrusted to the Football Association of Odisha (FAO). The FAO will manage the CM Trophy completely. Players who perform well will secure a place in their district teams, according to reports.
For the first time, the state government, in collaboration with the FAO, is organizing such a large-scale competition. It is hoped that many players will emerge from this tournament who will go on to represent the state and the country in the future.
