The Biju Patnaik Stadium here has turned a safe haven for drunkards and ganja peddlers as sport activities are scarcely held ever since its inception.
The State Government had spent nearly Rs 1 crore for constructing the stadium at Saranga village under Kendrapada township with an aim to promote sports activities and encourage talented sportsmen of the district. But the goal of the stadium remains unfulfilled till date.
As the stadium is located in a corner of the township area, hardly are sports activities held in the stadium. Notably, on February 17, 2008, the stadium was inaugurated by the then Minister of Works and Housing AU Singh Deo. But in the last seven years, except three to four cricket tournaments of district and state level, no such sports activities have been organized. The police use the stadium once in a year to organise anti riot mock dill jointly with the help of RAF personnel.
Meanwhile, the stadium has become a grazing ground for local cattle and a safe haven for anti social activities. Most of the doors, windows, tables, chairs and other electric machineries have reportedly been stolen from the stadium. The locals have been using the rooms and the basket ball court for keeping the paddy heaps.
When contacted, district sports officer loknath Panigrahi informed that the district Collector has written a letter to the executive engineer of R and B and CESU for its repair and also has urged his higher ups for appointing watchman for the maintenance of the stadium.
After the renovation, the district sports department would conduct a high level meeting with the district Collector, MP, MlAs, municipality chairman and other people’s representatives for its development and utilising the stadium for sports activities.
Even, a proposal has been sent for opening a sports hostel in the stadium for women footballers in the district, he informed.