The Samikhsya Bureau
Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, on Monday, inaugurated three world class sports facilities marking a watershed day for Odisha sports infrastructure.
Inaugurating the facilities on virtual platform, the Chief Minister said that the State would be launching many more grassroot programmes across all the districts.
He also announced that a synthetic-turf hockey training facility would be constructed at Chhatrapur.
Out of the three facilities launched, the international standard multisport indoor stadium at Hinjilicut is spread over 1.5 acres of land with a seating capacity of 300. It has playing courts for Badminton, Volleyball and Basketball besides facilities for Yoga, Gym and Physiotherapy.
The Chhatrapur Indoor Hall is equipped with three wooden floored badminton courts of international standard.
The shooting range at Kalinga Stadium managed by Aditya Birla – Gagan Narang High Performance Centre will have a 22 lane and 10-meter range and renovated 50 meter range. The range can cater to 60 athletes each day for training.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that as part of the 5T initiative, the state has a focus on complete transformation of sports sector. “We will continue to support sports persons in their endeavour to achieve excellence”, he assured.
He further said that India has been a major force in Shooting at the global level. With the launching of the 10 metre and 50 metre shooting ranges in Kalinga Stadium, Odisha will also produce large number of shooting champions, he hoped.
He further said that Partnership of Industry and leading sports persons is a dynamic mechanism for flourishing sports. Expressing his happiness over the partnership with Aditya Birla Group and Gagan Narang, he said that this has been further strengthened with launching of this facility. He thanked Shri Kumar Mangalam Birla and Olympian Gagan Narang for their commitment to promote young talents in Odisha.
Among others, State Sports Minister Tusharkanti Behera, Chairman of Aditya Birla Group Kumar Mangalam Birla, Olympian and ace shooter Gagan Narang, Berhampur MP Chandra Sekhar Sahoo, Aska MP Pramila Bisoi, Senior Vice President of National Rifle Association of India Kalikesh Narayan Singhdeo, Principal Secretary Sports & Youth Services Vishal Dev and Director of Sports Vineel Krishna were present on the occasion.
Secretary to Chief Minister (5-T) V.K. Pandian moderated the programme.
