Odisha Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak inaugurates the SJFI National Convention in Bhubaneswar on Sept 14, 2016.

A glorious chapter was added to the history of Odisha sports with the commencement of the 39th National Convention of the Sports Journalists’ Federation of India (SJFI) here at Hotel Mayfair Convention today. More than 100 sports journalists from various parts of the country joined the five-day event, which is being hosted for the first time in the state by Odisha Sports Journalists’ Association (OSJA).

Odisha Health, Family Welfare and I&PR Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak inaugurated the convention in the presence of KIIT and KISS founder Dr Achyuta Samanta, SJFI president Subodh Malla Barua, secretary A Vinod, treasurer Prashant Kenny, past presidents G Viswanath, S Sabanayakan; OSJA president K Ravi and secretary Suresh Swain.

A quiz programme on Test cricket (India vs New Zealand and India vs England) was conducted among the visiting journalists and the daily bulletin `Bhubaneswar Rocks’ was released on the occasion. Odisha Test cricketer Debasis Mohanty unveiled the J K Bose Trophy, the symbol of supremacy of the sports journalists’ cricket tournament, in the presence of BCCI match referee Prashant Mohapatra and the captains of the four zones.

Sporting activities of the National Convention will start tomorrow with the JK Bose Trophy matches (cricket) and AG Bali Trophy games (table tennis). There will also be penalty shootout competitions (football) and basketball events.

Renowned gymnast Dipa Karmakar along with her coach Biseshwar Nandi will also be present to encourage the journalists. She will be arriving in the city September 16. Former quarter-miler PT Usha will also be gracing the occasion with her presence. The National Convention will conclude on Sept 18.