Odisha govt grants in-principle approval for wrestling and boxing academy in Puri; land allotment underway

The Odisha Sports and Youth Services Department has directed the Puri district administration to identify two acres of government land for the establishment of a wrestling and boxing academy, marking a formal move to revive two of the region’s oldest sporting traditions.

To officially notify the matter, the department has written to the District Collector seeking ‘encroachment-free land’ for the project.

State Issues Formal Directive

In an official communication sent to the Puri Collector, the department conveyed that the government has accorded in-principle approval for the academy. The letter, issued by the department, specified that the land should preferably be located near the District Sports Complex or within its premises to ensure smooth training and operational management.

The sports department has requested immediate identification of a suitable land parcel and confirmed that the academy will be developed as a combined space for both wrestling and boxing, two sports that the state says require modern infrastructure for revival and competitive preparation.

Proposal Follows Years Of Demands

It is worth noting that wrestling has had a long-standing cultural presence in Puri, with local wrestlers historically performing during festivals, particularly Pana Sankranti, under traditional formats run informally by local communities.

However, residents and former wrestlers say the sport has seen a steep decline due to urban expansion, lack of training facilities, and the disappearance of public ‘akhadas’.

Local athletes note that a proposal to construct a wrestling facility near Talabania had been raised several years ago but failed to materialise. The present directive marks the first formal step by the state to allocate land specifically for a modern academy.

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Boxing Infrastructure To Be Added Alongside

In addition to wrestling, the government has proposed setting up a boxing training facility under the same academy complex. Sports officials believe integrating both disciplines under one institutional framework will help Puri train athletes beyond festival-based competitions and equip them for district, state, and national-level tournaments.

The project is aimed at offering structured coaching, ring and mat infrastructure, equipment, youth training batches, and professional certification opportunities for local trainees.

Sources reported that residents, former wrestlers, and local sports organisers have welcomed the decision, calling it a long-awaited recognition of Puri’s combat-sport heritage.