Bolster Hockey Infra With Astro Turf In Odisha’s Sundargarh, Rahul Gandhi Urges Anurag Thakur

Sundargarh: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who met hockey players during his recent visit to Odisha’s Sundargarh, has written to Union Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Anurag Thakur, requesting for astro-turf at SAI Special Area Games (SAG) centre here.

While praising the determination of the hockey players of Sundargarh, he urged the Union Minister to replace and relay the astro turf at the centre. “During my recent visit to Odisha as part of the Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra, I met several budding hockey players currently training at SAl Special Area Games (SAG) Centre at Sundargarh, Odisha. I was struck by their passion to excel in the face of adversity, and their drive to win accolades for India,” the letter dated February 10 said.

Rahul further said that he learnt about the need for an astro turf, which would allow the players to train effectively, during his interaction with them. “Sundargarh is a major hub for hockey. Our players from Odisha have made a mark both on the national, as well as the international stage. Bolstering the hockey infrastructure in Odisha can play a transformational role in identifying
and nurturing sporting talent. In this context, I request you to kindly consider replacing and relaying the astro turf at SAl Special Area Games (SAG) Centre in Sundargarh,” he added.

The Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra led by Rahul entered Odisha through Biramitrapur in Sundargarh district from Jharkhand on February 6 and remained in the state for three days, covering around 200 km.