Youths and Sports Affairs Director Dr Nitin Bhanudas Jawale had initiated indoor sports stadium in Rayagada during his stint as the district Collector in 2011.
Though the construction was complete, the centrally located and aesthetically made infrastructure was hardly used. The building was inhabited by bats and other creatures with thorny bushes around.
Recently with the sincere efforts of Collector Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar, the same indoor stadium was renovated with an investment of Rs 26 lakh. The infrastructure has a new and gorgeous look which has two wooden badminton courts and has provision for table tennis, carom, chess, etc.
There is also a provision for playing volley ball outside the stadium building. The renovated structure was inaugurated by local MlA-cum-Chairman, District Planning Board lal Bihari Himirika where Bissam Cuttack MlA Jagannath Saraka, Rayagada Municipality Vice Chairman Dr Niranjan Buxipatro, SP Rahul PR, PD-DRDA Madhusudan Mishra, PA-ITDA Muralidhar Swain were present, among others.
After the stadium got renovated, there was an inter district level badminton competition where 90 teams participated. The competition was graced by State badminton coach Manoj Kumar Sabat and State level player Yogabhyas Bhoi. Collector Guha assured to promote the talents of the district at all NAC and block levels.
“Though the outdoor stadium of the district is getting constructed near JK Pur, it is half way through due to paucity of funds. Former Collector of Rayagada Dr Jawale is now the Sports Director of Odisha. We have international soft ball players like Kumari Prashanti Huika and Duryodhan Budika, who are from tribal community of Rayagada. As Collector, Guha is taking up pro-active steps in encouraging sportspersons of the district. Her coordination with Dr Jawale will certainly bring a sea change in the arena of sports in Rayagada,” State level soft ball coach Bijay Mishra.