Baliguda,Feb, 9: The State-Level Football Championship has commenced at the Biju Patnaik Mini Stadium in Baliguda under the auspices of the Sub-Divisional Sports Association.
Association President and local Sub-Collector Pranita Das attended the event as the Chief Guest. Among the distinguished guests were Sub-Divisional Police Officer Shubham Bhosale, ITDA Project Administrator Kripasindhu Behera, Tahasildar Dipti Prakash Behera, Vice-President Satya Narayan Padhi, and Secretary Sushanta Kumar Das, who jointly inaugurated the championship.
In the उद्घopening match, FC Sambalpur faced Diamond Club, Khordha, in an exciting contest, with Sambalpur emerging victorious by 4–1. Biju Oram of Sambalpur was declared the Man of the Match. The match was officiated by Chief Referee Jyoti Ranjan Swain, along with referees Biswanath Kahar, Sunil Kumar Behera, and Kamakshya Prasad Pradhan.
On the second day (5th February), Dhenkanal will compete against Sundargarh. The championship will continue until the 11th of this month. Participating teams include Sambalpur FC, Diamond Club Khordha, Dosti Brothers Sundargarh, Popular Club Dhenkanal, USC Bargarh, FPSA Jatni, Jaga United Bhubaneswar, and JD Club Phulbani, among other selected teams from across the state.
A women’s football match between Bargarh and Bhubaneswar is scheduled for the 10th. The final match and closing ceremony will be held on the 11th, with several eminent public representatives from the state expected to attend. \
Daily matches will begin at 2:30 PM, while the semifinal and final matches are scheduled to start at 2:00 PM.
Advisors Sheikh Sadiq, Debabrata Singh Deo, Surendra Kumar Patra, Joint Secretary Manas Ranjan Acharya, Treasurer Ranjit Kumar Mohanty, Sports Secretary Shibananda Pattnaik, A. Srinivas Dora, Gangadhar Panda, Sushanta Kumar Sahu, and other members of the organizing and advisory committee were present throughout the event and assisted in its smooth conduct.