The State Government has signed an Expression of Intent (EOI) with the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) to set up a high-performance athlete making academy at the Kalinga Stadium here.
Sports and Youth Affairs Secretary Vishal Kumar Dev, IAAF president lord Sebastian Coe and AFI president Adille Sumariwala signed the EOI in the presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
The new centre, which aims to produce world-class athletes, will be named as Odisha-AFI-IAAF High Performance Academy. It would provide coaching, integrated support services and education to athletes and junior potential elite athletes.
Sources said the Sports and Youth Services Department would provide funds for necessary infrastructure and support services, including an outdoor stadium.
While the IAAF will assist in educating elite coaches and provide specialists, the AFI will assist in management of the academy and selection of the head of the academy, Indian coaches, teachers and other staff. The academy will aim to provide excellent coaching and integrated sports services to the athletes, sources added.