My Life As A Commentator! - Chiranjibi Pati

"I grew up in a family where there was a lot of love and support towards sports. My dad and uncles used to watch live sports on television and also listen to commentary on All India Radio. They were passionate to play for their respective office and club teams. So, from my childhood, I had an inclination towards different sports especially cricket, hockey and football.

The love for commentary began when I was in Class VI and Nishant Majithia(from Cuttack) commentated in a Test match in Dhaka. I started doing commentary by keeping the TV on mute and wanted to become an international commentator. Dreams do come true and fortunately in 2011, right after my +2 exams, one of my friends' brother gave me Nishant Bhai's contact. Right after, I met my other two gurus, Shirshendu Roy and Kumar Abhisekh Das. All three were working for Cricbuzz then and many people don't know but, the audio commentary for international cricket matches for Cricbuzz was happening from Cuttack in those days.

I was trained by them and soon after, I started doing audio commentary in English for Cricbuzz. During my tenure with Cricbuzz, I covered two T20 and one ODI World Cups, IPL matches and many other international games.

Apart from commentary, I studied MSc Geology at Ravenshaw University, but my love for sports media stopped me from pursuing a career in Geology and I decided to study Post Graduation in Journalism and Mass Communication. I have also worked for OTV's English web desk as a reporter.

I was very excited when Odisha FC was launched in 2019 and was really delighted when I got a chance to join the ISL Club for my home state as its Media Manager. I moved back to Odisha and it was a surreal feeling to come back to one's home state and work. Joining OFC meant that I would get a chance to know some wonderful footballers of India and abroad more closely and also some lovely sports management professionals.

I dream to commentate in a multi-sport event like the Olympics, Asian Games or Commonwealth Games in the future and want to see India do well across all major sporting disciplines, including playing in the FIFA World Cup.

Odisha has produced many sportspersons and has the capability of achieving a lot more. Let's all come together and support the Indian and Odia sports fraternity and include sports in our day-to-day life to build a sporting culture." - Chiranjibi Pati.