Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday inaugurated three modern football training centres in Bhubaneswar ahead of the upcoming Intercontinental Cup, giving a boost to the sports infrastructure in the state. The three centres — Odisha Football Academy, Bhubaneswar Football Academy and Capital Football Arena — have been developed at a cost of Rs 90 lakh and will have six FIFA-certified turfs. It will have five natural and one synthetic football field, LED flood lights, dressing room for players, gallery coach room and other facilities.
These three centers are located adjacent to each other in the city, so many teams will be given the facility to train together, especially during the tournament. These three centres are going to be training grounds for the national Under-16 and Under-19 team, Odisha FC (men, women and youth) and all the teams (both men and women) of the state. CM Patnaik has said that it is going to work as a center of football training in the country.
"It is also a matter of great pleasure and pride to inaugurate the Odisha Football Academy, Bhubaneswar Football Academy and Capital Football Arena," Patnaik said in a release. "I am confident that these new facilities are not only going to encourage the youth to pursue their passion for football but are also going to serve as a hub for football training in the country," he added. Referee and coach education programmes will also be conducted at these centres. Patnaik announced that a girls football academy with artificial turf is also going to be set up in Kendrapara district.
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