Angul: One of the most recognised sports venues of Orissa, the Nalco Stadium here, has been lying in a dilapidated state for quite some time now. Sources informed that it is the apathy of the staff employed to maintain the stadium that has led to the present situation.
The Biju Patnaik Sports Complex in the past has regularly hosted district level, state level and some time national level competitions as well. The stadium has facilities for games like cricket, football, hockey, volleyball and athletics events also. However, at present it is in shambles.
Grass and weeds have developed across the entire stadium making life difficult for the athletes who want to train at the venue. At times they also have unwanted hindrances in the form of poisonous snakes and insects who have made the stadium their home. The drinking water facilities and toilets are also in a very bad state. Above all, a statue of Biju Patnaik, installed inside the stadium is all covered with dirt and bird droppings with no effort being made to clean it up.
After asked about the state of the stadium, Nalco Estate department AGM Amarendra Mishra said that because of the monsoons, maintenance has suffered. “Due to the rains, you rarely see anyone training. Incessant downpours in the recent past have prevented us from keeping the stadium clean. However, once the rain stops we will see to it that the stadium gets back its past glory,” stated Mishra. “It will be fit to host any event,” he added.
