Sambalpur, March 19: The district administration has identified 17.05 acres at Takba village, 5km from the town, to set up a sports complex.

“We are approaching the revenue board in Cuttack to hand over the land to the department of sports and youth affairs. Once we get the land, we will take necessary steps to secure funds from the government. The revenue divisional commissioner has instructed us to expedite the process,” said district sports officer Gangadhar Behera.

“The sports complex will have a swimming pool, athletic track, football field, administrative building, 100-bed hostels for both men and women, quarters for trainers and other facilities,” said Behera.

He said: “There is a proposal to develop mini-stadiums in every block of the district. Around Rs 25 lakh will be spent for the mini stadiums in each block.”

Expressing his happiness over the new development regarding the sports complex in Sambalpur, general secretary of the district athletic association Dulal Chandra Pradhan said: “Sambalpur is the centre of western Odisha, and if the proposal materialises, athletes of the region will get better infrastructure and training. This will help them compete at national and international sport events.”