City now has a world class hockey turf

Sambad English Bureau Published On : Jul 29, 2013 at 10:01 PM Updated On : Jul 29, 2013 at 10:46 PM

Reported by Santosh Jagdev/Edited by Sandeep Sahu

Take action against Aparajita Sarangi for using children in poll campaigns, BJD urges EC

Odisha Junior Revenue Assistant dismissed from govt service after conviction in Vigilance case

Bhubaneswar, July-29: Hockey lovers in the capital city can now look forward to watching national and international matches at a stadium near them. A world class hockey stadium with a state-of-the-art hockey turf was inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inside the Kalinga Stadium premises here today.

Besides the synthetic turf, laid by internationally known German firm Polytan, the hockey stadium constructed at a cost of Rs 19.94 crore, also has a gallery for 6000 spectators, an automatic sprinkler system, player’s lounge, changing room, a press room, medical room and a dope control room.

The stadium has been constructed by state PSU Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation of Odisha (IDCO). While the Union Ministry of Sports provided Rs 6 crore for the multi-purpose indoor hall under its Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme (USIS), the rest of the amount was pooled in through contributions from Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC), MPLAD funds, Special Problem Fund and budgetary resources of the state Sports department.

“It is a dream come true for hockey lovers in the city. They can now watch national and international events at this venue,” said an effusive Dilip Tirkey, former captain of the Indian hockey team.

Besides hosting major national and international events, the hockey stadium would go a long way in grooming budding talent in the state, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said while inaugurating the stadium.

The Chief Ministe also laid the foundation stone of a multipurpose Indoor Stadium, a synthetic football ground and horticultural development inside the Kalinga Stadium Sports Complex. The horticulture project would involve landscaping of Kalinga stadium with provisions for a waterfall, topiary, fountain, sculptures, development of irrigation system etc. While the multi-purpose Indoor Hall would have facilities for badminton, basketball, handball, weightlifting, gymnastics, changing room, conditioning hall, sauna spa and physiotherapy.

Ramesh Chandra Majhi, Minister for Sports and Youth affairs, Prasanna Kumar Patsani, Bhubaneswar MP and eminent sportspersons, including Tirkey, were present on the occasion.