Rourkela: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday inaugurated multiple sports projects in Sundargarh district, which has produced many national and international sportspersons.
Among the projects the Odisha CM launched include Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium complex in Rourkela and three Hockey Training Centres in Bisra, Lahunipara and Manchmara.
“Sundargarh has been a backbone of sports in Odisha. Not just hockey, it has produced players of repute in athletics and many other disciplines. The projects launched today will enable us to collectively nurture a large spectrum of sports talent from this district and the nearby regions,” Naveen said.
The Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium complex here features an athletics stadium with 400m synthetic track and a natural turf football field with floodlights. The stadium has four galleries with a seating capacity of around 9000 spectators, including for differently abled people.
The stadium has players’ changing rooms, lounges and other ancillary facilities necessary for hosting national level competitions.
The complex also houses an Olympic-size indoor swimming pool with participants’ changing rooms and allied facilities. With a seating arrangement for 500 spectators, the pool is equipped to host regional level competitions.
A multi-level car parking for over 180 vehicles and commercial office spaces are also part of the complex, which is spread over 11 acres and built at a total cost of Rs 148 crore.
The Hockey Training Centres have Category 3 FIH certified synthetic turf with a changing room for players, admin room, gymnasium, first-aid room and seating for 200 spectators.
