In order to improve the sporting abilities of tribal students and make them excel at the State and national-level competitions, the State Government has decided to construct sports facilities in tribal schools under its Sports Complex project.
Earlier this month, the Government had decided to set up sports complexes near tribal schools in Sundargarh, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Khurda and Koraput districts at a cost of `2 crore each. The idea is to spot sports talents from Classes VI and VII, both boys and girls, and hone their skills in hockey, athletics, swimming, football and archery.
In Khurda district, the hostel will come up at Tapoban High School at Khandagiri. Sources said it has been decided to establish a football ground at Tapoban High School along with a gymnasium, changing rooms, lavatories and running tracks for the students interested in football.
Similarly, a sports complex for hockey will be developed near Deokaranpur Boys High School in Sundargarh. The Director of Sports will identify 30 students each for football and hockey, besides 12 for gymnastics from various tribal schools in the area to undergo training in the sports complex.
This apart, students of Suakati Girls High School of Keonjhar and Bisoi Boys High School of Mayurbhanj will be trained in athletics in the complexes that will come up near their schools. In Koraput, Sunabeda High School will have a similar facility where students will be trained in archery and provided with fibre bows that are used in international competitions.
“This apart, swimming pools will be constructed at Asanjoda Girls High School and Bisinahakani High School in Cuttack district. There will be separate swimming pools and coaches for girls and boys,” an official of the SC & ST Development Department said.
While, the Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs) will look into the construction of these sports amenities, the Sports Department has been roped in to select students for training.
The SC & ST Development Department is sanctioning `1 lakh per year for development of at least one sport, one non-sports activity and career counselling for tribal students in its schools. Special emphasis is being laid on promotion of archery among tribal students. As on today, the department has established over 10 archery units in KBK districts to train students.