Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to strengthen grassroot sports infrastructure, the Odisha government is all set to construct stadiums in all 314 blocks of the state with an out lay of Rs 4,124 crore.
Stating that each stadium will be developed on around 8 to 10 acres of land, Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said on Monday that this move is expected to significantly boost sports culture and nurture young talent from rural areas.
Addressing a press conference at the Kalinga Stadium Tennis Centre Auditorium in Bhubaneswar, the Minister provided a detailed overview of the Master Plan for the block-level stadium project.
According to the proposed master plan, the stadiums will include dedicated facilities for various sports such as football /cricket, athletics, volleyball and indigenous games like kho-kho and kabaddi. Additionally, indoor sports halls will be equipped for badminton, table tennis, gymnastics and weightlifting.
The initiative also aims to host various sports competitions at these stadiums, enabling talent scouting and selection from the grassroots level.
The Minister emphasised that the state government is committed to the overall development of sports and athletes, ensuring that young talents have the necessary infrastructure to build their careers in sports.
“Our goal is to take world-class sports infrastructure to every block in Odisha, so that talent from every block and village gets the opportunity to shine,” said Suraj.
