Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday announced major infrastructure expansion plans for the Sambalpur Football Academy, including the development of three FIFA-standard full-sized football grounds and two modern futsal courts with an allocation of ₹15 crore.
During his visit to the academy in Sambalpur, the Chief Minister reviewed its infrastructure and lauded its contribution to football development in Odisha. He said the academy has carved a unique identity in the state’s sporting ecosystem and will be further upgraded to international standards.
Addressing a function organised at the academy, Majhi noted that the institution, which started in 2007 as a branch of the Samaleswari Sporting Club, has emerged as a major platform for nurturing football talent in Odisha. Over the past 19 years, hundreds of players trained at the academy have represented the state in various national-level age-group football tournaments, bringing laurels to Odisha, he said.
Recognising its role in promoting football, the state government has entrusted the academy with the responsibility of providing residential training to 30 talented under-14 footballers selected annually from the grassroots-level C.M. Cup Football Tournament. The government has also arranged for quality education for these young athletes in nearby educational institutions to ensure their overall development.
The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the enhanced infrastructure and advanced training facilities would help the academy produce more accomplished footballers and contribute significantly to Odisha’s sporting success in the future.
Among those present on the occasion were Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik, Sambalpur MLA Jaynarayan Mishra, Rajya Sabha MP Manmohan Samal, former Rengali MLA Nauri Naik, IG Himanshu Lal, and Sambalpur Collector Siddheshwar Baliram Bandar.