The State Government has decided to create infrastructure for holding national and international sport events. For this, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday directed the Sports Department to prepare a blueprint soon.
It was revealed at a review meeting held under chairmanship of Patnaik that the State has international level infrastructural facility for hockey matches but for no other games. It was decided that field for international level football matches and tracks and modern and developed sports hostels would be constructed.
While it was revealed that projects for construction of 159 Mini Stadiums in rural areas (block level) and 31 in urban areas have been undertaken, the Chief Minster directed the department to complete at least 100 Mini Stadiums by August this year.
As per the target, four Mini Stadiums in each of five municipal corporations, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Sambalpur and Brahmapur, would be constructed every year. Besides, a Mini Stadium would be constructed in each of 111 NACs and municipalities in coming three years.
Now the Panchayati Raj Department is developing playgrounds in Panchayat level. It was decided the department would also develop all school playgrounds henceforth. local organisaitons would be entrusted the responsibility of taking care of the school playgrounds.
Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Sudam Marandi, Chief Secretary AP Padhi, Development Commissioner R Balkrishnan and Secretaries of concerned departments were present.