Cuttack:Known as the hub of hockey, Odisha is now all set to test its luck in roller skating, an all-new form of the game.
This is the first time that roller skating is gaining popularity in Odisha and keeping in view the national level competitions, participants are being trained on the skills in Cuttack based skating training camp.
Cuttack skating coach sets eyes on international standard But the most astonishing fact is that Nimish Sharma, a skating coach has been providing coaching in skating for the last ten years without any assistance from the state government and without any remuneration.
Many sports boys have reached the national level after getting coaching from Nimish and some of them have brought glory for the country as well as the state.
However, Nimish has kept up his coaching job which he started free of cost since 2010 despite all adverse situations and want of requisite training materials.
So far more than 2000 sports boys who have received coaching in skating from him, have been able to create an identity for themselves. But unfortunately, the coach Nimish has not received any recognition or patronisation for this.
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Speaking to ETV Bharat, Nimish said, "My students have shown interest for the game and we are preparing them to show outstanding performance during the national level competitions. If the state government gives its benevolent attention to the game of skating like other sports, the state would achieve another milestone in the matter of encouragement to sports."
“If the state government can ensure better infrastructure and facilities for the game and sports persons then more number of people will love to choose it as a career,” he said.
Odisha has now become the first choice for organizing sports tournaments of national and international level. The State government has drawn many accolades for having successfully organized many sports events like hockey, table tennis, football and athletics.
As a result, Odisha has achieved the distinction of being the undeclared sports capital of the nation. Meanwhile, people have welcomed the game and urged the State authorities to prepare the adequate infrastructure for the promotion of the game.