Sambalpur: VSS Stadium’s Sports Hostel is in Deplorable Condition

Sambalpur: In the Sambalpur district, the fate of the players who are looking for a future in the game is now in a kind of darkness. Neither is there a good playground for sportsmen nor is there a sports hostel for accommodation. Whatever players are coming out here are practicing elsewhere. The one sports hostel that used to exist in the district is now in a deplorable condition. Dulalchandra Padhan, Vice President of the District Sports Association, complained due to the lack of sincerity of the district administration it could not be improved.

Veer Surendra Sai Stadium is a large stadium in Western Odisha. Earlier many state and national level games have been organized here. Now Ranji trophy is missing out on as only Under-19 is played due to lack of ground. Talented players have emerged from Sambalpur not only in cricket but also in other sports. Now there is a complaint that a hostel is not available for the players. However, earlier there was a hostel arrangement for the players to stay and practice on the ground floor of the Sanatan Bishi Gallery in the VSS Stadium. 40 to 50 players used to practice on the field. There were also all kinds of services for the players. Recently, the roof of the hostel weakened and the roof began to fall. The district administration vacated the hostel for the safety of the students. It appears that the students are being forced to live in student dormitories in district schools.

As the district administration is not looking into it, there has been intense dissatisfaction in the quarters of players and intellectuals. According to the complaint, Rs 35 to 40 lakhs were approved by the government during the time of former district collector Samarth Verma for the repair of the sports hall at the VSS Stadium. The government has given the department to do its work. The former department pressed the money and did not tender. All the following district collectors have come in recent times. They have not done any new work for the stadium nor the old work that was half done was completed. However, it has been alleged that the district sports department or the administrative officers are not eager to work. Dulal Pradhan, president of the District Sports Association, says that even after reporting to the district administration several times for its repair, no attention is paid to repairing the work.