Cuttack: Buoyed by the power packed performance by tribal sportspersons during the three-day sporting extravaganza at Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium here, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today encouraged the young talents to aim for Olympic medals.

“I want Odisha to win Olympic medals for the country. Odisha Tribal Sports Meet, the first of its kind event in country exclusively for tribal sportspersons has revealed the wealth of talent that state possesses. Congratulated winners and asserted all support for their excellence,” Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik tweeted.

Patnaik also hailed sports as a powerful instrument to break social barriers and discrimination.

The state-level competition that kicked-off on May 30 came to an end this evening with Khurda emerging as overall champion.

The competition saw participation of 1, 31, 003 athletes in block, district and state level in track and field events such as football, hockey, kabaddi, volleyball, kho-kho, athletics and archery.

Sports Minister Chandra Sarathi Behera, Sports Secretary Vishal Dev, Cuttack MP Bhatruhari Mahatab, Commerce and Transport Minister Ramesh Chandra Majhi, Barabati-Cuttack MLA Debasish Samantaray and Chairman of State Youth Welfare Board Arup Patnaik graced the occasion.