Sambalpur: The Odisha Government has sanctioned Rs. 15 crore for the development and modernization of the Sambalpur Football Academy, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced on Saturday during a visit to Sambalpur.
Praising the academy’s infrastructure and commitment to sports, the Chief Minister said the funds will be used to build 3 full-size FIFA-standard football turfs and 2 modern futsal grounds within the academy campus. The upgrade is aimed at transforming the academy into a world-class training centre and strengthening its journey on Odisha’s sports map.
Founded in 2007 as a wing of Samaleswari Sporting Club, the Sambalpur Football Academy has emerged as one of the state’s biggest platforms for nurturing football talent. Over the past 19 years, hundreds of players from the academy have represented Odisha in national tournaments across age groups, bringing laurels to the state.
Acknowledging its contribution to football development, the state government has assigned the academy a new role. The academy will now provide high-quality residential training to 30 under-14 players selected every year from the grassroots through the annual ‘CM Cup’ football tournament.
Chief Minister Majhi said that along with elite coaching, the selected children will also receive quality education. The government will arrange their schooling in nearby educational institutions to safeguard their academic future while they train.
Calling it a step toward building a robust sports ecosystem, the CM said the redevelopment of Sambalpur Football Academy will create better infrastructure, global exposure, and more opportunities for young footballers from western Odisha.
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