Bhubaneswar: Odisha government on Friday (July 19) said the state would soon have a “sports policy" of its own to promote different sports activities.

This was stated by the Sports and Youth Services minister Tusharkanti Behera while replying to questions in the Assembly.

Stating that the National Sports Policy is in force in the state, Behera said that a draft on Odisha's own sports policy has been prepared.

However, the minister said that the state has a policy to release special grant to different sports associations for conducting national and international championships in Odisha. This move would be under the aegis of the concerned recognised national federation.

Replying to a question on the number of sportspersons in the state, the minister said that no such survey has been taken place in Odisha. "Sportspersons are being given identity cards under different categories," the minister said.

He said sportspersons, who have played at international sports events, have been provided jobs in various sectors.

While sprint queen Dutee Chand got a job in Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC), athlete Srabani Nanda was given a position in Odisha Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC).

A total of 96 sportspersons have been given jobs in Odisha Police, he informed the Assembly.