The renovated academy hostel at JRD Tata Sports Complex. Picture by Srinivas

Jamshedpur, Dec. 25: Recognising the honour they have brought for the state, Tata archery and athletics academy cadets will now have exclusive access to a hostel at JRD Tata Sports Complex.

Earlier, the hostel accommodated visiting sportspersons, technical officials, referees and guests. But now, that practice will be a thing of past.

The hostel has been spruced up to accommodate the cadets who will now be able to use 32-odd rooms, dining hall, conference room and lounge.

Tata Steel vice-president (corporate services) Partho Sengupta inaugurated the academy today in presence of senior officials of the company’s sports department, and players of the football, archery and athletics academies. Bailey Bodhanwala, the president of the Jharkhand Handball Association, was also present.

Sengupta, who cut a cake to celebrate the occasion, also explored the academy to see the facilities available.

Tata Steel sports department chief Sanjeeva Singh said that the cadets have been performing well and it was apt to make exclusive accommodation arrangements for them.

Later, Sengupta handed over cheques amounting to a total of Rs 25,32,000 to handball players, archers, cyclists, athletes and boxers who claimed medals at national championships. The amount falls under the sports scholarship of the state sports ministry for 2007-08. The parents of the recipients of the awards were also present at the event.

Sengupta called upon the beneficiaries to make proper use of the scholarship and try and win more laurels. Bodhanwala also spoke on the same line. He called upon the beneficiaries to work hard to attain their goals on the field. “Utilise the money you have got in enhancing your skills,” he urged.