Bhubaneswar, January 5, 2026: The Odisha TSAF Sports Climbing High-Performance Centre (HPC), a collaboration between Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF) and the Government of Odisha, is rapidly emerging as a pivotal hub in the state’s sports climbing ecosystem. Located at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, Odisha’s only sports climbing centre is dedicated to identifying and nurturing young climbing talent through structured training and modern infrastructure.
Within just one year of its establishment, the HPC has enrolled 125 athletes (77 boys and 48 girls), with 40 regular day-boarders receiving training from a dedicated three-member coaching team.
Athletes from the HPC have already begun making their mark at national-level competitions. Notably, Sahil Kumar Das secured a bronze medal in Speed Climbing (Sub-Junior category) at the East Zone Climbing Championship 2024, followed by a silver medal at the 28th National Sports Climbing Championship 2025 in Bengaluru. He also clinched silver in the Youth C category at the Nilgiri Cup 2025 in Wellington, Karnataka.
Adding to his achievements, Sahil proudly represented Odisha as the first participant in the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) Asian K Championship 2025, held at PCMC Climbing Complex, Pune, from November 1–4, 2025, where he secured 4th position—a remarkable feat for the state and the HPC.
“Training at the Odisha TSAF High-Performance Centre has been a transformative journey. I’ve focused on the Speed category in climbing, winning a silver medal at the national level and now preparing to represent India at the Asian Games. With 5–6 hours of daily practice and access to top-tier facilities and coaching, I’m working hard to improve my performance. My dream is to compete in the Olympics and make Odisha and India proud,” said Sahil Kumar Das, one of the HPC’s standout athletes.
Similarly, Subhransu Sekhar Mahunta earned two bronze medals in Lead Climbing and Bouldering (Open Men’s category) at the All India Open Sports Climbing Championship 2025 held in Kolkata.
Mukul Vinayak Choudhari, Chief Sports, Tata Steel, said, “The Odisha TSAF Sports Climbing High-Performance Centre exemplifies the impact of strategic collaboration and structured athlete development. In just one year, it has cultivated a promising cohort of climbers whose achievements at national competitions underscore the effectiveness of our training model. We remain committed to advancing sports climbing in Odisha and establishing it as a national benchmark.”
Echoing this, Head Coach Raju Karmakar emphasised the HPC’s vision, stating, “Our focus is not only on medals but on building a strong foundation for sports climbing in Odisha. These early successes reflect the potential of our athletes and the ecosystem we are cultivating here.”
The HPC is equipped with a dedicated climbing wall and provides access to physiotherapy services, a central gym, and a swimming pool to support holistic athlete development. Additionally, it plays a vital role in expanding the sport’s reach within Odisha, inviting aspiring climbers from across the state to enrol. Training sessions are conducted twice daily, specifically catering to athletes in the Under-17 category.
With its strong early momentum and structured approach, backed by the expertise of Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF), the HPC is poised to establish Odisha as a leading hub for sports climbing in India in the coming years.
Tata Steel Adventure Foundation is an outbound leadership institute that, through its wide range of activities, aims to develop able leaders for the future by identifying their limits of mental and physical endurance. The Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF) continues to lead the development of sport climbing in India. It established the country’s first residential Sport Climbing Academy in Jamshedpur, producing multiple national champions and hosting prestigious international events like the Asian Youth Championship. TSAF’s extensive grassroots programs, especially in Odisha, have expanded access to climbing across diverse communities. More than 1,000 climbers are training under the TSAF ecosystem in Jharkhand and Odisha.
In addition to its climbing achievements, TSAF has trained and supported 14 individuals to summit Mt. Everest, reinforcing its commitment to excellence in adventure sports and outdoor leadership.
