Cuttack, Feb. 4: The Odisha Olympic Association (OOA) has said in Orissa High Court that the management and maintenance of Barabati Stadium is not possible without temporarily letting out of unused areas within the precincts of the facility.

"The association does not receive any funds either from the state or the central governments or from any of their instrumentality," OOA secretary M.A. Alam claimed in an amended petition.

"Besides, the fact of letting out of premises for augmentation of resources of the association has been well within the knowledge of the district administration and the state for 50 years. Various offices are also functioning on the stadium premises and also various state functions are organised by taking part of the premises on rent," Alam said in the amended petition.

As the custodian of the stadium, the OOA had initially filed a petition seeking intervention against non-grant of licence sought by it to use some of the unused premises for the purpose of kalyan mandaps. The OOA had applied for licence for operating the Club House, Barabati Guest House, Horse Gate, OCA Club and the Tendulkar Bhavan. The Cuttack Municipal Corporation rejected the sport's body's application on December 22 last year.

After a preliminary hearing on January 20, the high court had issued an interim order for maintenance of status quo. The case will be heard next week along with the amended petition.

"Of the resources generated from letting out the unused stadium premises, the association pays salary, contribution, tax, grants to state and district associations, holds state meets and sponsors sports resources to participate at zonal and national levels," the amended petition said.

The state government had granted on lease 20.808 acres to the OOA to construct the stadium in 1949. The OOA is the apex sports body for state association for various games - football, hockey, table tennis, basketball among others and district associations.

"The purpose of leasing out the land in favour of the OOA is not meant for using the institution for the purpose of kalyan mandaps. Hence your request for granting licence is rejected and are requested not to use them for the purpose of kalyan mandaps," the corporation said in the rejection order.

The OOA secretary, on the other hand, in his amended petition said: "Unless the premises are allowed to be let out, the association shall seriously be prejudiced."

OOA sources said nearly 120 persons had deposited money and booked the five kalyan mandaps till April 30.