By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, November 2, 2020: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday inaugurated three world class sports facilities at Hinjilicut and in Ganjam district and Kalinga Stadium here.

Patnaik also announced launching of a Synthetic-turf Hockey Training facility at n Chhatrapur while speaking on the occasion on virtual platform.

Of the three facilities launched, the International Standard Multisport Indoor Stadium at Hinjilicut is spread over 1.5 acres of land with a seating capacity of 300. It has playing courts for Badminton, Volleyball and Basketball, besides facilities for Yoga, Gym and Physiotherapy. The Chhatrapur Indoor Hall is equipped with three wooden floored badminton courts of International standard.

Appreciating the vibrant sports culture of Ganjam, he said that Hinjilicut Indoor Stadium and Chhatrapur Indoor Hall have been created to further promote sports activities. Built to international standard, Hinjilicut indoor stadium is one of the best indoor facilities we have in the State, he added.

The shooting range at Kalinga Stadium managed by Aditya Birla – Gagan Narang High Performance Centre will have a 22 lane 10-meter range and renovated 50 meter range. The range can cater to 60 athletes each day for training. India has been a major force in Shooting at the global level. With the launching of the 10 metre and 50 metre shooting ranges in Kalinga Stadium, Odisha will also produce large number of shooting champions, he hoped.

Partnership of Industry and leading sports persons is a dynamic mechanism for flourishing sports, the chief minister said expressing his happiness over the partnership with Aditya Birla Group and Gagan Narang. He thanked the Group chairman, Kumar Mangalam Birla and Olympian Gagan Narang for their commitment to promote young talents in Odisha.

Patnaik said as part of the 5T initiative, the state has a focus on complete transformation of sports sector in the State. “We will continue to support sports persons in their endeavor to achieve excellence”, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Birla said that the shooting high performance centre is a significant milestone for the shooting sport eco-system in Odisha and India as well. Thanking the Chief Minister for the visionary leadership, he said that Odisha has morphed to become the sports capital of India.

Olympian and Ace shooter Shri Gagan Narang said that the opening of 10 meter range at the high performance centre is a major milestone in infrastructure. Speaking on the talent hunt programme in Odisha, he said that the state has more talents than what meets the eye.