India’s first Indoor athletic centre inaugurated in Bhubaneswar

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated India’s first indoor athletics and aquatic centres at the Kalinga stadium in Bhubaneshwar. The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone for a new indoor diving centre in the stadium complex. According to the chief minister, the new indoor facilities will help athletes train throughout the year without fear of weather-related disturbances.

India’s First Indoor Athletics Stadium 

• The newly developed India’s first indoor athletics stadium has the facilities to host national and international athletic events. The stadium, built at an estimated cost of Rs 120 crore, can accommodate 120 athletes for full-time coaching. It also has a classroom for studies, medical facilities, and a dedicated pantry for athletes.
• Italian company Mondo SpA has set up a 10,000 sq. meter track in the stadium, the first of its kind in the country.
• The stadium has facilities for the long jump, triple jump,100m, and 200m race tracks. Pole vault and shot put events can also be held in the stadium. 
• The indoor stadium will be a training ground for the Odisha Reliance Foundation Athletics High-Performance Centre. 
• The Odisha Reliance Foundation Athletics High-Performance Centre was established by the Reliance Foundation in association with the Odisha government in 2019. The foundation aims to develop athletics in Odisha and become the national athletics centre. 

Indoor Aquatic Center 

• The indoor aquatic centre in the stadium complex has a 50-meter Olympic-size pool and a 25-meter warm-up pool with a temperature-control feature. It has a seating capacity of 1000 and can hold national and international events.
• The Odisha Inspire Institute of Sport High-Performance Center will operate from this aquatic centre.
• The Odisha Inspire Institute of Sport High-Performance Center is a joint venture of the JSW group with the Odisha government. The Inspire Institute of Sport in Odisha is a sports coaching centre that trains athletes for the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and other boxing, wrestling, judo and athletics events.

Indoor Diving Center 

The chief minister also laid the foundation stone for an Indoor Diving Centre to be built at the Kalinga Stadium complex. The diving centre will have a diving pool of 25 meters with an additional 5 meter pool for synchronised swimming.The diving pool will be temperature controlled.