(Top) The approach road to Panposh sports hostel and (above) the entrance to the hockey turf. Pictures by Uttam Kumar Pal

Rourkela, Sept. 19: All three approach roads to Panposh sports hostel here are in a poor condition causing resentment among boarders.

The sports hostel has been home to several national and international-level players, both men and women.

Boarders complained that all the three approach roads connecting the sports hostel with Panposh, Airstrip and Chhend are in bad shape. The road that connects the hostel to Airstrip passes under a railway line and is always waterlogged. The other two roads are narrow and filled with mud and slush.

Boarders and hostel staff said the condition of one of the roads had deteriorated further when the Astroturf was being laid last year. Heavy trucks had passed over the narrow road causing extensive damage.

“We cannot go out, as mud and slush cover the road. People coming to hostel have trouble reaching the place. Although this is one of the most well-maintained hostels in the state managed by the state sports department, the condition of the approach roads is a study in contrast,” said hostel coach Kalu Charan Choudhury.

Sources said 39 players from the district who now play at the state and national levels, 38 had been groomed at this hostel. Only former Indian Hockey team captain Dilip Tirkey was from the sports hostel of Sports Authority of India. Children from various parts of the state are trained here.

The hostel that was set up in 1985 got its first Astroturf in 1992, which was replaced in 2006. A new Astroturf was laid last year and is yet to be inaugurated. With the new one, there will be one Astroturf each for boys and girls.

At present, 111 boarders, including 30 junior and 18 senior girls, stay in the hostel.

“When players from other states come here, they get a bad impression about the sporting facility in the district,” said a hostel official, adding that they had tried to draw the attention of the authorities concerned several times but to no avail.

Member of Parliament and former India hockey captain Dilip Tirkey, who hails from Rourkela, said he would take up the issue with the district administration.

“It is such an important establishment. I will ensure that the district authorities take immediate steps,” said Tirkey.

Additional district magistrate R.N. Mishra said he would look into the matter and arrange for the repair of these roads.

“We will tell the public works department officials to prepare an estimate for the repair of these roads and then take up work,” he said.