Bhubaneswar, Jan. 11: Budhia Singh is no stranger to courting controversies.

He rose to national stardom when, in 2006, he ran a record-breaking 65km from Puri to Bhubaneswar to become the youngest marathon runner in the world at the age of four. Since then, he has been dogged by one controversy after another, from the murder of his trainer Biranchi Das to the most recent incident when he went missing from the SAI Sports Hostel here for several days before resurfacing in Tamil Nadu.

Today, the former child prodigy met officials of the sports and youth services department and sought better training facilities from the state government.

Budhia, who studies at DAV Public School, Chandrasekharpur, also said he wanted to reside at the school's sports hostel.

"I will be able to balance my academics and training in a better manner. If the government provides me with the necessary resources, I can prepare better," he said.

His mother, Sukanti Singh, and his school coach accompanied him when he met officials of the sports department. They also requested the government to provide him with financial support in order to help him take part in marathon events held across the country.

"I am looking forward to a positive response," said Budhia, who dreams of competing in the Olympic Games.

Budhia had not reported to the hostel at the end of the summer vacation last year, giving rise to speculation over his disappearance. It was alleged that he was in Mumbai for the promotion of his biopic, Budhia Singh - Born To Run, made by Soumendra Padhi, ahead of its release.

The child welfare committee in Khurda had lodged a complaint with Nayapalli police where it alleged that the wonder boy was abducted. Later, upon his return, he claimed that he had been on vacation with his mother in Kodaikanal.

Although Budhia returned to the city, he did not return to the hostel. Budhia, who had been a resident of the hostel at Kalinga Stadium from 2007, alleged last July that the hostel lacked infrastructure and training facilities.

He had said: "There is no proper training in the hostel. I don't want to return to the hostel, it feels like jail."

Vishal Dev, secretary of the sports and youth services department, told The Telegraph that the government would come to a conclusion regarding the matter in due time. "We have formed a committee to look into his complaints. Based on the committees' report, we will take a decision," Dev said.

Padhi, who got close to Budhia during the making of the film, said the youngster needs a good coach who could guide him properly. "We should keep in mind that he is a minor and needs to be handled very carefully. His passion for running is still the same and the state needs to give him better facilities. We have to be patient with him," the filmmaker said.

He also said the state government should take steps to ensure that he attends marathon workshops.