Odisha to host sports literature festival ahead of Hockey World Cup

New Delhi: Before the Hockey World Cup begins later in November in Bhubaneswar, the city is set to invite sports lover from across the country to witness 'Ekamra International Sports Literature Festival'.

Organised by Department of Sports & Youth Services, Govt of Odisha, in association with sports-management company Emerging Sports, the literature festival will be organised from November 2 at Mayfair Lagoon in Bhubaneswar.

While the Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, is slated to inaugurate the event, famous names from the field of sports including Olympic medalist wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, gymnast Deepa Karmakar, former cricketer Mohammed Kaif are also expected to speak during the two-day festival.

"Ekamra Sports Literary Festival 2018 marks a new chapter in the history of Odisha, during its period of progression towards being the sports hub of the country. It is wonderful that such a prestigious event will be held as a run up to the Men's hockey World Cup, Bhubaneswar 2018," Chandra Sarathi Behera, Minister of State (IC), Odisha Sports & Youth Services, said in a statement.

Former Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson, former Australian cricketer Jeff Thomson, Olympic Gold medalist swimmer Stephanie Rice, and Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat will be among other speakers at the event.

"The sports literary festival phenomenon is a fairly recent one; but one whose time should have come much earlier. I have always dreamt of bringing together the finest minds in the world of sport and writing to Bhubaneswar to discuss their work, share their vision, hear diverse voices in a conducive and contemplative environment," Sundeep Misra, founder director - Emerging Sports, said.