Baripada 21-12-2025 Today, the “MP Sports Festival” district level sports competition organized under the supervision of the district administration has been inaugurated at the stadium ground in Baripada. Hon’ble Rajya Sabha MP Mrs. Mamata Mahanth inaugurated the sports festival by lighting the lamp as the chief guest. District Governor Mr. Hemkant Say, District Security Officer Mr. Varun Guntupalli, District Sports Officer Subhish Naik, District Information and Public Relations Officer Vikas Ranjan Mohanty, District Sports Education Officer Bhagirathi Mallik, Editor of Mayurbhanj Athletic Association Vijay Kumar Das Major joined and encouraged the players. On this occasion, the Chief Guest said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Yashvi, it is being organized by the MPs to give priority to sports in the parliamentary sphere and also to encourage the sportspersons to progress. This is an innovative effort of the government to develop sports, especially in rural areas. In this competition, the first prize is Rs.20,000/- and the second prize is Rs.15,000/-. Similarly, the District Collector said that various schemes have been taken up to create a good sports environment in the district which will be very helpful for the players in the future. Benaiah will suit the players through training involving various sports so that they are able to perform well and excel in various national and international competitions. In the event, Somnath Singh managed the stage while Sunil Kumar Mahanth, chief coordinator of the competition and Dibyranjan Mahanth, media coordinator, assisted in the management of the game. According to Prakash, 32 men’s football teams from the district, 12 girls’ kabaddi teams have joined and around 900 players are participating in the game.