Hundreds of cricket fans assembled at the small ground to have a glimpse of star cricketer and get an autograph if possible. Rain and slushy ground failed to dampen their enthusiasm. The occasion also brought together many past and present cricketers. Eminent sportspersons from other disciplines, including international woman hurdler Anuradha Biswal, former India woman football captain Sradhanjali Samantaray too turned up to add importance to the function.

Besides delivering a brief speech, Sehwag batted for a couple of minutes on the synthetic pitch and signed autographs for youngsters of Pragati Sporting. He was presented with mementos by the Chief Secretary and the DGP on the occasion. OCA secretary Behera announced that the state body would bear the maintenance cost of the renovated ground.

Pragati Sporting, which is celebrating its golden jubilee this year, has the credit of grooming former Test opener Shiv Sundar Das, junior internationals Ranjib Biswal, Sritam Das, India A players Basant Mohanty, Sanjay Satpathy and many more first class cricketers.
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TOP: Sehwag unveils the renovated the Pragati Sporting ground in Bhubaneswar on Sept 15, 2013.
RIGHT: Chief Secretary jugal Mohapatra felicitates Sehwag in the presence of DG Police Prakash Mishra (Left), Pragati Sporting president Ranjib Biswal and coach Kishore Mania on Sept 15, 2013.