India’s fast emerging Sports League Arrives in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Odisha is set to make its debut in the internationally recognized Legends League Cricket. This sports league brings together cricket legends from around the world and now Odisha has its own team and as home state for this high-profile sporting event.

The introduction of this T-20 league
competition to the State marks a significant milestone in its sporting journey.
Introducing Team Konark Suryas Odisha
The strategic move to bring T-20 franchise team to Odisha as home State, Team Konark Suryas, Odisha is now among the six teams of this league, namely India Capitals Delhi, Gujarat Giants Gujarat, Manipal Tigers Bengaluru, Urbanrisers Hyderabad, Southern Super Stars Chennai.

Its name is derived from the historic 13th century icon, UNESCO World Heritage-Listed Konark Sun Temple; Team Konark Suryas is intended to reflect Odisha’s dynamic cultural legacy.

The Sambalpuri Pattern at the bottom of the Logo captures the unique craftsmanship, the radiating sun rays from the Konark Wheel convey the power, energy & a sense of upward momentum, reflecting Odisha’s growing influence in the sports.

The official launch event was held in the Capital city with the participation of the Secretary of Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) Sanjay Behera. His presence underscored the State’s newer focus and thrust towards promoting sports and creating opportunities for the youth of the
State with the help of private sector players like SANPRIYA Group.

He also said that the arrival of Sports League in the State by the SANPRIYA group, who are already contributing to the state’s economic growth, will definitely attract private sector investments in the sporting
infrastructure, talent scouting at grassroots level and a transformation of the sports ecosystem -from international coaches to training & equipment.

Secretary of Odisha Cricket Association, Sanjay Behera, has communicated
his message and said “Konark Suryas Odisha, our new team of T-20 Legend League Cricket, is a very significant development which has happened in Odisha, which will further enhance the soft power of the State. This sports league will also help the Youth of Odisha to gain access to newer internationally recognized sporting infrastructure and open up a sea of opportunities for them. We stand in line with India, a state that is embarking upon a sporting revolution with the announcement by the Prime Minister during his Independence day address to the Nation, where he stated that India is going to bid for the 2036 Olympic Games.”

Enthused by this event, many acclaimed and prominent celebrities from different walks of life, including Ollywood stars Sabyasachi Mishra & Archita Sahu, renowned sportspersons Satya Ranjan Satpathy (Jitu Satpathy) & Olympian Anuradha Biswal and Dutee Chand, renowned classical dancers Rupashree Mohapatra, Bijay Sahu & Meera Das, renowned singers Susmita Das, Krishna Beuraa & Sangeeta Mohapatra, former Indian Women Football Captain Sradhanjali
Samantaray, Academician & Vice-Chancellor, University of Health Science Manash Ranjan
Sahoo, Paraolympian Pramod Bhagat, Mountaineer Ganesh Jena and former footballer Sasmita Mallik also attended the event and applauded SANPRIYA Group unique efforts.

The players of team Konark Suryas Odisha present included the heroes of Indian cricket and team captain Irfan Pathan, and other team members Shahbaz Nadeem, Rajesh Bishnoi, & Vinay Kumar.

Former Indian cricket team member Irfan Pathan will lead Team Konark Suryas Odisha as the captain. Other team members are Ambati Rayudu, Yusuf Pathan, Vinay Kumar, Rajesh Bishnoi, Shahbaz Nadeem, Pravin Tambe, Diwesh Pathania, K P Appanna & Natraj Behera (Odisha) from India, Ross Taylor from New Zealand, Kevin O’ Brien from Ireland, Ben Laughlin from Australia,
Richard Levi from South Africa, Navin Stewart and Fidel Edwards from West Indies and Dilshan Munaweera from Sri Lanka.

This event is seen as part of Odisha’s larger efforts to position itself as a key player in India’s sports sector. While addressing the gathering Sanjeev Srivastva, Chairperson of SANPRIYA Group, said “With the introduction of Legends League Cricket & Team Konark Suryas Odisha, and significant infrastructure investments in setting up a Multi Sports Centre of Excellence, we aim to provide newfound opportunity to the youth of Odisha and take sports culture to schools,
scout talent, train them in these centers, and one day make them our National heroes”.

Following SANPRIYA Group’s announcement of the Konark Suryas Odisha, it was also
announced that Assotech, a group Company of SANPRIYA group and the leading real estate developer in India, has joined hands with the Legend League to setup and operate its Multi Sports Centre of Excellence in the upcoming Assotech World Township in Bhubaneswar.

This Township is one of the largest and will have its own Corporate Office Space, Hotel, Serviced Apartments, Student Housing, Retail, Mall & Multiplex, & Food Street, apart from this coveted Multi Sports Centre, and will accommodate over 1,50,000 population over a period of time. With sporting stars as brand ambassadors, the whole sports ecosystem will be available around the
year.

While concluding the event, Ms Enakshi Priyam, Spokesperson of SANPRIYA Group, said “Odisha has a deep rooted passion for Sports, and by bringing in Konark Suryas Odisha team, we aim to tap into this passion and contribute with our pioneering initiatives which align completely with Government of Odisha focus towards promoting an ecosystem of sports excellence ”