In a major push to elevate grassroots football in Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday visited the historic Sambalpur Football Academy and unveiled an ambitious transformation plan.
The state government will invest Rs 15 crore to build three full-size FIFA-standard football pitches and two state-of-the-art futsal grounds, giving the academy a world-class makeover that promises to produce future national and international stars.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister hailed the academy’s remarkable journey and announced a new responsibility that will shape Odisha’s sporting future. “From this year, 30 exceptionally talented boys and girls under 14 years of age, selected through the annual ‘CM Cup’ tournament, will receive completely free, high-quality residential training at the academy along with top-tier education in nearby institutions,” Majhi said. “We are not just building pitches; we are building dreams and ensuring these young athletes get every opportunity to shine on the national and global stage.”
The Sambalpur Football Academy, which began in 2007 as a wing of the legendary Samaleswari Sporting Club, has already earned a special place on Odisha’s sports map. Over the past 19 years, it has nurtured hundreds of gifted footballers who have represented the state with distinction in national tournaments across various age groups.
The Chief Minister praised the academy’s contribution to Odisha’s football ecosystem and expressed strong confidence that the new infrastructure and talent programme would bring even greater glory to the state. “With modern facilities and dedicated coaching, this academy will become a powerhouse of football excellence and keep delivering pride to Odisha for generations to come,” he added.
The announcement was made in the presence of Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik, Sambalpur MLA Jaynarayan Mishra, Rajya Sabha MP Manmohan Samal, former Rengali MLA Nauri Nayak, Police IG Himanshu Lal, and Sambalpur District Collector Siddheshwar Baliram Bondar.
The development marks a significant milestone for football in Odisha, blending world-class infrastructure with a focused talent identification and nurturing system that starts right at the grassroots level.
