Bhubaneswar: The 7th edition of the Ekamra Sports Literature Festival (ESLF) is set to kick off on November 22, promising a day of captivating conversations and inspiring stories. Headlined by Olympic gold medallist and world record holder Javier Sotomayor, the festival will feature an impressive line-up of athletes, authors, and sports enthusiasts.
The day begins with a session on Ayrton Senna, the legendary F1 icon, with Italian author Franco Nugnes sharing insights into his life and legacy. This will be followed by Palestinian middle-distance runner Mohammed Yahya Suleiman Dwedar’s inspiring journey from conflict zones to the world stage.
The festival will also explore the state of Indian and South Asian football, with authors Sandeep Menon and Jaydeep Basu discussing the passion, mismanagement, and power structures surrounding the sport. Young athletes who are reshaping India’s athletics landscape will also take centre stage, sharing their stories and experiences.
Javier Sotomayor will reflect on his illustrious career, sharing stories of craft, discipline, and belief that made him a legend. Other highlights include discussions on the murder of Indian hockey legend Prithipal Singh and Paralympian Deepa Malik’s inspiring journey, as she shares her story in her book “Bring It On”.
The festival promises to be an unforgettable experience, with a diverse range of sessions and speakers that will leave you inspired and motivated. Here is the schedule:
– Session 1: 10:45 AM – SENNA: SPEED, SPIRIT, AND THE MYTH THAT ENDURES
– Session 2: 11:20 AM – RUNNING FOR HOPE: MOHAMMED YAHYA SULEIMAN DWEDAR
– Session 3: 12:00 PM – BEAUTIFUL GAME, BROKEN SYSTEM: FOOTBALL WRITING FROM THE SUBCONTINENT
– Session 4: 2:00 PM – TOMORROW’S TALENT IN INDIAN TRACK AND FIELD
– Session 5: 2:45 PM – THE JAVIER SOTOMAYOR STORY
– Session 6: 3:30 PM – GUNNED DOWN — THE MURDER OF AN OLYMPIAN
– Session 7: 4:00 PM – BRING IT ON — WITH DEEPA MALIK & SONI SANGWAN
