Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the first synthetic hockey stadium of the capital city at Kalinga Stadium Sports Complex here on Monday. Patnaik also laid the foundation stone of multipurpose Indoor Stadium, Synthetic Football Ground and a beautification project in the Kalinga Stadium. The estimated cost of the proposed projects is Rs 27.51 crores. The Chief Minister also felicitated national champion sub-junior hockey team of the State on the occasion. All the players received cash awards of Rs 5,000 each.
The 6,000 capacity newly constructed hockey stadium is having all the facilities to conduct international hockey matches. Constructed at a cost of Rs 25 crores the stadium will be the centre of attraction for many new generation hockey players. The infrastructure is essential to develop sports in the State, said Padmashree MP Dilip Tirkey.
On the occasion two friendly matches were organised in between Sports Hostel (Rourkela) and SAI Center (Sundargarh). While, the boys match ended in a draw, the Sports Hostel eves edged out SAI Center by 1-0 goal.
A FIFA accredited agency would carry out the work of the synthetic surface of the football ground which is estimated to cost Rs 4.5 crores. The Central Government has already released Rs 3.50 crore to IDCO as first installment in January.
Odisha Horticulture Development Society has received Rs 4.41 crores for the beautification of Kalinga Stadium. The project includes provision of topiary, waterfall, fountain, sculptures, and development of irrigation system. The multipurpose Indoor Hall is estimated to cost Rs 17.36 crores.
Among others,local MP Prasana Kumar Patsani, Dilip Tirkey, Sports Minister Ramesh Chandra Majhi, MlA Ashok Panda, Bijay Kumar Mohanty, Bhagirathi Badajena, Urban Development Secretary I Srinivash, Sports Secretary Hrusikesh Tripathy, Director of Sports and Youth Services Department DV Swamy and many other senior officials were present.