Hockey legend and newly appointed Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) Chairman Dilip Tirkey considers sports as a catalyst for promotion of tourism in Odisha and plans to capitalize on the coming international sports events in Bhubaneswar to lure more tourists to the state.

``Bhubaneswar has emerged as a global sports hub by developing world-class infrastructure facility and hosting a number of international events in recent years. With many more events, including Men’s Hockey World Cup coming up this year, excellent opportunity has been created for promotion of tourism in the state,’’ said former India captain Tirkey during a meeting with members of Odisha Sports Journalists’ Association here today.

``OTDS will work together with Sports & Youth Services Department to make the forthcoming events successful and attract more and more tourists to the state,’’ added Tirkey, a Padmashree Awardee.

Lauding the efforts of sports scribes of the state, former Rajya Sabha Member Tirkey reminisced the encouragement he always received during his playing career. ``Sports journalists have played big role in developing talents into stars and putting Odisha in international sports map,’’ he observed.

Tirkey also assured OTDC’s support for sports promotion activities of OSJA. Led by secretary Sanatan Pani, OSJA members greeted Tirkey with bouquet and uttariya on the occasion. OSJA vice-presidents Sambit Mohapatra, Suresh Swain; joint-secretary Samikhya Patnaik, treasurer Himanshu Patimishra and members Umakant Mishra, Debasish Sundaray, Bijay Rana, Shakti Prasad Nanda, Manamohan Swain, Mahendra Sahoo and Chiranjibi Pati; OTDC General Manager Sanat Kumar Mohanty and Marketing Manager Alok Ranjan Mishra were present in the meeting.
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PHOTO: Newly appointed OTDC Chairman Dilip Tirkey with OSJA members with at his office in Bhubaneswar on May 30, 2018.