Cuttack: The 51st Annual Sports Festival of the Excise Department commenced today at Satyabrata Stadium in Cuttack, with the Law, Works, and Excise Minister, Prithiviraj Harichandan, inaugurating the two-day event that brings together officers and staff from across Odisha.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma, Principal Secretary of the Excise Department; Excise Commissioner P. Anvesha Reddy; former Olympian Dr. Anuradha Biswal; and actress and social worker Pinky Pradhan. Officers and staff from the Excise Department, Excise Directorate, and OSBC were also present. A major highlight of the event was a well-organised parade by the officers, showcasing discipline and teamwork.
During the ceremony, Minister Harichandan unveiled a booklet highlighting the department’s achievements and launched an IEC video aimed at raising public awareness about the misuse of intoxicants and narcotic substances. To further strengthen operational efficiency and field-level technology, 48 body cameras were distributed to officers from the Khordha and Bhubaneswar Excise districts in the first phase, with plans to provide them to officers in all districts in the coming days.
The Chief Guest also recognised the exemplary performance of the districts of Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Bhubaneswar, Bhadrak, Ganjam, and Puri, along with the Excise Intelligence and Enforcement Bureau (E.I. & E.B.), Unit-II in Sambalpur, for their outstanding enforcement activities.
The two-day festival, scheduled from 7 to 8 February 2026, has attracted participants from all 33 Excise districts of Odisha and four EI & EB units. A total of 809 male athletes across 16 categories and 181 female athletes across 11 categories will compete in track and field events, including 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, and 3000m races; long jump, high jump, triple jump; shot put, discus throw, and javelin throw, as well as in volleyball, badminton, and other sports.
Outstanding performers were felicitated for their achievements, and the festival concluded with a cultural programme presented by the Excise Department staff, celebrating talent and camaraderie alongside competitive spirit.
