Arunava about Football A look at football & the world through my eyes!
Related Articles
Indian National Football Team coach, Igor Stimac, recently expressed his admiration for the hospitality and sports facilities provided by the Odisha government during the Intercontinental Cup.
Stimac emphasized the quality of the training pitches and a well-maintained match pitch which not only contributed to the players’ performance but also reflected the government’s commitment to nurturing football talent in the state.
The Kalinga Stadium is located in the heart of Odisha’s capital city Bhubaneswar. There is a capacity of more than 12,000 spectators in this state-of-the-art facility, which has played host to several high-profile sporting events over the last few years, including the Men’s Hockey World League finals, the AIFF 4-nations Women’s Gold Cup, the first two editions of Super Cup.
The venue also played host to Jamshedpur FC in 2017-18 when they played against Bengaluru FC in the ISL. Also, the iconic Kalinga Stadium serves as the home for Odisha FC, a ISL team based out of Bhubaneswar. The Odisha Government recently hosted the prestigious Intercontinental Cup 2023 at the Kalinga Stadium for the first time, marking a significant milestone in the state’s football journey.
After securing almost ₹90 crores in investment, the government has established three football training centers in the capital city, fostering the sport’s growth. Inaugurated by CM Naveen Patnaik, the Odisha Football Academy, Bhubaneswar Football Academy, and Capital Arena Football contribute to the development of football in the state.
Furthermore, Stimac was impressed by the close proximity of the team’s hotel to the training grounds in Odisha, which allowed for efficient training sessions and maximum preparation. He praised the facilities and organization in Odisha, stating that they are the best he has visited in the country as well as the support of the people.
Stimac expressed gratitude to the Odisha government for investing in sports infrastructure and encouraged the people to take pride in their commitment to sports. His praise solidifies Odisha as the country’s Sports Capital.
