Odisha Sports Journalists’ Association (OSJA) achieved a notable success in the field of information technology by launching its official website www.osjaweb.org at KIIT University campus in Bhubaneswar today. Former president of Sports Journalist Federation of India (SJFI), S Sabanayakan formally unveiled the website in the presence of office-bearers and members of OSJA and KIIT Sports Director Dr Gaganendu Dash.

Designed by KDC Technologies, the website features a brief history of OSJA, its objectives, profiles of members, activities, notices and announcements, photo gallery and much more. “OSJA is the first and only affiliated state unit of SJFI to have come up with its own website. It’s nice portal and I congratulate OSJA for this endeavour,” said Sabanayakan, who was in city as the SJFI observer to inspect venues and facilities available for the staging of the 39th Anuual Convention of the SJFI at KIIT University this year from September 14 to 18.

OSJA members paid humble tribute to eminent sports journalist Dr Ashok Patnaik, whose 18th death anniversary coincided with the launching of the website. Tribute was also paid to the duo of Gopal Choudhury, the first sports journalist and commentator of the state and eminent journalist Barendra Krushna Dhal, who passed a recently.

Speaking on the occasion, Sabanayakan exhorted sports journalists of Odisha to work diligently for the promotion of sports in the state. “OSJA members should make sports stories Page-One items. They should go out of the state to cover major sporting events. They should also perform with lot responsibility, but should never hesitate to question wrongdoers in sports,” he said.

During the hectic day, Sabanayakan inaugurated the 10th round of the World Junior Chess Championship, which is underway at KIIT University from August 7. He also interacted with ace woman sprinter Dutee Chand, who returned home from Rio Olympics today.

Also a former president of Calcutta Sports Journalists’ Club, Sabanayakan inspected KIIS Cricket Stadium, Indoor Stadium, half-a-dozen auditoriums and the newly constructed KIIT Residency, where delegates for the SJFI Annual Convention would be accommodated. He also paid a visit to Utkal Karate School.

Later in the evening Nayakan and OSJA office-bearers held detailed discussions regarding preparations for the ensuing SJFI Annual Convention. He expressed happiness about the facilities at KIIT University and the arrangements made by OSJA so far. “I am optimistic of OJSA making 39th SJFI Convention the best ever of its kind,” he signed off.