Construction of Berhampur stadium is yet to be completed even after 25 years of inauguration

Construction of Berhampur stadium is yet to be completed even 25 years after its inauguration as lack of sports infrastructure continues to plague the Silk City of Odisha.

The construction of the stadium was yet to be completed as a major portion of the land is under the possession of ministry of defence (MoD).

Land measuring 17.68 acre near the old bus stand was identified for the stadium. Of this, 9.18 acre is under the MoD while the stadium is functioning on 8.50 acre.

The incomplete stadium was inaugurated by the then chief ministerJ B Patnaik in 1989.

R C Chyaupatnaik, MLA (Berhampur), said "several high-level meetings were held at the government level to resolve the problem of Berhampur stadium. We hope MoD will hand over the land for completion of the stadium as the government is ready to provide the former same area at other place", he said.

Similarly the work on the proposed weightlifting academy has not progressed at Gopalpur. "There is no major stadium to conduct sports events in the city", said Kabiraj Gouda, an athlete.

"We can't afford the ground rent to conduct sports events at Berhampur Stadium", said Kameswar Rao, secretary Ganjam District Athletic Association (GDAA). The stadium authorities are charging Rs 500 a day.

"We have urged the government to waive the ground rent, but in vain. A memorandum has also been submited to the sports minister", said Rao.

Other two stadia at Khallikote College and MKCG Medical College and Hospital belong to the respective institutes.

"We have urged the government to open coaching facility for football in the sports hostel at the stadium," said Bijay Singh Samanta, Vice-president, GDAA.

At present, facilities are in place to provide coaching in weightlifting, basketball, volleyball. In almost all districts, football coaching is provided, he said.

Berhampur had in the past thrown up several national-level footballers, Singh added.

"If the land at Berhampur stadium is made available, the proposed weightlifting academy will come up here", said district sports officer A K Patnaik.

A mini stadium would be constructed at Gopalpur, he said adding that renovation of the stadium at City High School and K C Town High School is on at a cost of Rs 50 lakh.