Source : Times of India
BHUBANESWAR: With an aim to develop a sports culture and to create an atmosphere of sports ahead of the Men’s Hockey Works cup, Odisha government will host Asia’s first international sports literary meet- Ekamra Sports Literary Festival 2018 in Bhubaneswar from November 2.
The unique literary festival will be attended by several national and international sports stars and writers including Ben Johnson, Stephanie Rice, Niraj Chopra, Dilip Tirkey, Mohammed Kaif, Jeff Thompson, Ajinkya Rahane, Yogeshwar Dutt, Madeleine Pape and more under one roof for some meaningful conversations on sports.
“This is a one of its kind event and will set a new trend in sports literature in India. The literary fest is not only about sports but it will throw light on various other aspects of the lives of sports persons for their fans. Besides, noted sports writers and journalists will discuss on many burning issues and aspects of sports world during the two day event,” said sports secretary Vishal Dev.
Besides, discussions gymnast Deepa Karmakar will be present for release of the cover of her biography during the event.
Among the sports celebrities athlete Ben Johnson will be a major attraction who is presently known as a crusader of antidoping campaign among athletes across the world.
“Ekamra Sports Literary Fest 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 Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 as a joint initiative of the Sports Department with Emerging Sports,” said sports minister Chandra Sarathi Behera.
With prominent foreign authors and sports persons coming to Bhubaneswar, the city will get an international image and will also be seen as a hub for debate on sports and literature. “In the world of Sports Literature, Bhubaneswar will be a major stop every year as we are planning to make it an annual event with authors, writers, thinkers gather to discuss sport. We hope that the sports literature festival can be a natural progression in the direction that Odisha has taken in the field of sport,” said Sundeep Misra of Emerging Sports- the co-organiser of the event.
