Orissa promotes motor rally from Kolkata

Motor sports may be struggling in Orissa because of lack of sponsorship and infrastructure facility, but it made news today because of a rally, which was organised by neighbouring state West Bengal and patronised by Orissa. Kolkata-based Automobile Association of Eastern India conducted the rally, but the event was financed by Orissa-based aluminium major Nalco, which contributed Rs 6 lakh for the event. Interestingly, Motorsports Club of Orissa, the governing body of the sport in the state, was not associated in the event. Not only Nalco, the State Sports Department, headed by concerned minister P C Bhanjadeo went out of their way to provide all support for the rally. The state media also projected it as an important sports event. But the entire exercise set up a question. Is Nalco or the State Sports Department as keen when it comes to promoting mainstream sports events, conducted by state bodies? Sports fraternity of the state should ask Nalco and the State government to justify their action and spending. Coming back to the event, the first Kolkata-Puri Motor Rally concluded in style with Orissa Governor M C Bhandare presenting trophies and cash prizes in a glittering function here at Rajbhawan today. In the four-wheeler category, Sourav Choudhary and Arindam Ghosh bagged the winners trophy, which carried a cheque of Rs 60,000. Subir Roy and Ashis Budhia finished runners-up, followed by Sk Azgar Ali and Dhis Ghosh. The second and third place occupiers received Rs 40,000 and Rs 30,000 respectively. Pradeep Kaur and Balaji won the top honour and a cheque of Rs 40,000 in the two-wheeler segment. The second prize of Rs 25,000 went to Joy Shome and Rajkumar Mundra, while the third prize of Rs 15,000 was claimed by Diptojyoti Ghosh and Nirav Mehta. Orissa Pradesh Congress Committee president K P Singhdeo, Sports Minister P C Bhanjadeo, lead sponsor Nalco CMD, CR Pradhan, associate sponsor Indian Oil chairman, P Ramalinga and host Automobile Association of Eastern India president Suman Mukhopadhya were present on the occasion as guests. As many as 40 four-wheelers and 25 two-wheelers participated in the 800km rally, which concluded here at Kalinga Stadium. Titled as ‘Rally for a Safer Tomorrow’, the two-day event aimed at creating awareness about safe driving. The rally was jointly flagged off from Kolkata yesterday by Lt Gen V K Singh, GOC-Inc, Eastern Command and Nalco Director (P&A) Joy Varghese. After night halt at Baripada, the rallyists proceeded to Puri before culminating their journey in the capitaly city. Photo caption: Prize-winners and guest pose at closing function of the Kolkata-Puri Motor Rally in Bhubaneswar today.