According to informed Sports & Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, Odisha Government has no intention to modernize facilities at historic Barabati Stadium in Cuttack for regular cricket matches.
Responding to a question posed by Congress MLA Sofia Firdous in Assembly, the Minister informed the House that as of yet, the government does not have any such proposal for the refurbishment of Barabati Cricket Stadium, under management by Odisha Cricket Association (OCA). While earlier BJD government headed by Naveen Patnaik had set up Rs 600 Crore for Barabati Stadium redevelopment, Mohan Majhi-led BJP government is yet to give sports infrastructure development top priority.
The OCA has came under fire for “mismanagement” that resulted in delay last month’s India Vs England ODI at Barabati Satadium. After the floodlights went off during second innings, the international game was stopped for over half an hour on February 9.
The Minister presented comprehensive Cuttack district sports infrastructure.
Data show the district boasts six indoor stadiums, thirteen block level mini stadiums, and eleven urban mini stadiums. Apart from this, the district now features functional Hockey Training Centre and Jawahralal Nehru Indoor Stadium.
