local MP and Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram has strongly backed Sundargarh as the location of the proposed hockey academy, instead of Bhubaneswar, which is to be established by the State Government.
Oram claimed that if the academy is established in Sundargarh, the rich potential of local tribals in the field of hockey can be nurtured properly and they can be groomed at their home condition.
Sources said the penchant for development of sports of the State Government has increased significantly, particularly after the success of the Asian Athletics Meet, organised by the State Government at Bhubaneswar, earlier this year. Considering the success, the State Government has taken a decision to establish academies in five major sports like, hockey, football, athletics, weight lifting and archery etc. in the State. According to sources, with infrastructure like Astro turf laid stadium for hockey and synthetic turf for athletics available at Bhubaneswar, the State Government is strongly contemplating the capital as the location of the academies for these two games. For other games like weight lifting, Brahmapur is being considered where as for football and archery, different other locations are under consideration.Reacting to the State Government's initiative, Oram although welcomed the move, strongly claimed that Sundargarh district is the only suitable location for the hockey academy of the State.