In a piece of good news for sports persons, especially cricket lovers, the Biju Patnaik stadium at Saranga in Kendrapara has been handed over to the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) which will turn it into a cricket hub.
The stadium which has been neglected since its construction 12 years back will finally be renovated for cricketers. Kendrapara district administration finally took steps to develop it after the news of its neglect was aired on OTV recently.
As per reports, many aspiring cricketers from many districts including Kendrapara will get a chance to hone their skills at this stadium.
A cricket pitch has been laid with soil brought from Bolangir. Special grass has been planted on the outfield to make it cricket-ready. Nets are installed for the practice of the players too.
“The ground was a den of anti-socials. Cows grazed and cow-dung cakes were being dried here. OTV telecasted the news which attracted the attention of district administration and they took steps to make it a cricket ground,” said a local cricketer Chinmay Biswal.
“I would like to thank the reporters of OTV for whom the stadium could be renovated. The government had constructed it 12 years back with crores of Rupees. But it has been neglected since then,” said Derabisi Cricket Club member Anup Kumar Rout.
“We requested the Collector and the OCA. The OCA showed interest in developing the stadium through Kendrapara District Cricket Association. The stadium was in a dilapidated condition. But now the lost glory has returned,” said Kendrapara Cricket Association Secretary Subhasis Senapati.