Fundraising campaign for Rio-bound Odisha players

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, July 16:

The countdown for the maha kumbh of sports has already begun with the sportspersons across the globe raring to go for the kill.

For the first time, Odisha is witnessing a robust participation in the Olympic Games. It’s an all-women team from this eastern part of the country which will be sending six players as part of the contingent for this edition of Olympics to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from August 5.

Odisha’s Dutee Chand, Shrabani Nanda, Deep Grace Ekka, Lilima Minz, Sunita Lakra and, Namita Toppo will be representing India in the track and field events.

Adulation, felicitation and cash rewards poured in post their inclusion in the national squad. The state government was left flabbergasted when 100-meter medal hope Dutee Chand beseeched for three pairs of spike running shoes when she was felicitated in the Odisha capital recently.

In a bid to reach out to a larger audience, Kanak News and Sambad have launched a fundraising campaign “Rio Swapna” to support the women athletes to get international standard sports gear.

Within hours of it going live, the online campaign has received enormous support and is being liked, shared and, talked about.

With a fortnight to go, the drive will continue till July 30. So, hurry up!!! If you want to give them the much-needed extra push to help them shine at the grandest sporting extravaganza, then visit the page https://milaap.org/campaigns/RioSwapna and donate generously for the cause.