SAMBALPUR: The work on five mini stadiums which are being developed by the Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC) at different parts of the city is going on in full swing. The civic body has set a target to complete the work by November. The stadiums are being developed at Dengimocha, Themra, Dhankauda, Mandlia and Netaji Subash Chandra Bose (NSCB) College ground in the city. As per the plans, the SMC is carrying out the levelling works and construction of low height boundary wall along with proper drainage facility. Each of the grounds will have goal posts on both sides of the ground.
Deputy Commissioner of SMC Sudhansu Kumar Bhoi said each stadium is being developed at an estimated cost of `20 lakh funded by Sports and Youth Services Department and these facilities will be ready by November.
The work on stadiums at Dengimocha, Dhankauda, Mandlia and NSCB College ground is almost complete while it will take some more time for completion of the work at Themra, Bhoi said.
District Sports Officer, Sambalpur Samir Naik said development of five mini stadiums would go a long way in promoting sports activities in the city. Athletes of respective locality can practise at the stadium close to their residence while it will help the administration organise state and national level sporting events, he added. With concrete jungle coming up and Sambalpur taking a big leap towards urbanisation, playground began to shrink and today youngsters hardly have space to play.