India’s First Indoor Athletics And Aquatic Center

Blog Credit: Trupti Thakur

Image Courtesy: Google

India’s First Indoor Athletic And Aquatic Stadium At Bhuvneshwar

 

Odisha’s Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on 16^th March 2024, Saturday inaugurated India’s first indoor athletics centre, along with the state-of-the-art indoor aquatic hub, at Kalinga Stadium.
He also laid the foundation stone of the indoor diving center in the stadium complex. Naveen said the new indoor facilities will help athletes train and compete around the year without any external weather disturbances.

“We are confident that both the indoor athletics center and the aquatic center will certainly help set new standards for sporting excellence on both international and national stages. It also marks an important step towards strengthening Odisha’s robust sports ecosystem,” he added.
The indoor athletics center is India’s first, capable of hosting indoor continental and regional championships. This world-class facility will be a training ground for the Odisha Reliance Foundation Athletics High Performance Centre (HPC), which was established in association with Reliance Foundation, and has produced young athletics champions.
“The facility provides residential accommodation for athletes for full-time coaching,” said an official statement from the chief minister’s office.

The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone for a new indoor diving center in the stadium complex. According to the chief minister, the new indoor facilities will help athletes train throughout the year without fear of weather-related disturbances.

India’s First Indoor Athletics Stadium 

• The newly developed India’s first indoor athletics stadium has the facilities to host national and international athletic events. The stadium, built at an estimated cost of Rs 120 crore, can accommodate 120 athletes for full-time coaching. It also has a classroom for studies, medical facilities, and a dedicated pantry for athletes.
• Italian company Mondo SpA has set up a 10,000 sq. meter track in the stadium, the first of its kind in the country.
• The stadium has facilities for the long jump, triple jump,100m, and 200m race tracks. Pole vault and shot put events can also be held in the stadium.
• The indoor stadium will be a training ground for the Odisha Reliance Foundation Athletics High-Performance Centre.
• The Odisha Reliance Foundation Athletics High-Performance Centre was established by the Reliance Foundation in association with the Odisha government in 2019. The foundation aims to develop athletics in Odisha and become the national athletics center.

Indoor Aquatic Center 

• The indoor aquatic center in the stadium complex has a 50-meter Olympic-size pool and a 25-meter warm-up pool with a temperature-control feature. It has a seating capacity of 1000 and can hold national and international events.
• The Odisha Inspire Institute of Sport High-Performance Center will operate from this aquatic center.
• The Odisha Inspire Institute of Sport High-Performance Center is a joint venture of the JSW group with the Odisha government. The Inspire Institute of Sport in Odisha is a sports coaching center that trains athletes for the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and other boxing, wrestling, judo, and athletics events.

Indoor Diving Center 

The chief minister also laid the foundation stone for an Indoor Diving Centre to be built at the Kalinga Stadium complex. The diving center will have a diving pool of 25 meters with an additional 5 meter pool for synchronized swimming. The diving pool will be temperature controlled.

In a momentous occasion for Indian sports, Patnaik unveiled India’s pioneering Indoor Athletics Center and Indoor Aquatic Center at the iconic Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. This inauguration, held on March 9, 2024, marks a significant leap forward for athletes and swimmers across the nation.

Indoor Athletics Center: A World-Class Training Ground

Facilities and Features:

• The Indoor Athletics Center stands tall as India’s first facility capable of hosting indoor continental and regional championships. It is a testament to Odisha’s commitment to nurturing athletic talent.
• The center boasts a 10,000-square-meter track, meticulously installed by the renowned Italian firm Mondo SpA, which has been used in the Olympics. This state-of-the-art track sets a new standard within the country.
• Key features include:
  • 200-meter synthetic track: Designed to meet specific athletic requirements.
  • 80m+20m running track: Ideal for sprinters and middle-distance runners.
  • Long jump, triple jump, pole vault, and shot-put areas: Precision-engineered for optimal performance.
  • 60 twin-sharing rooms: Accommodating high-performance athletes undergoing full-time coaching.
  • Category 1 certification from World Athletics: A prestigious recognition earned in December 2023.

Indoor Aquatic Center: A Splash of Excellence

• The Indoor Aquatic Center is equally impressive, featuring:
  • Temperature-controlled 50m Olympic-size swimming pool: A world-class facility for swimmers.
  • 25m warm-up pool: Perfect for training sessions.
  • Seating capacity for 1000 spectators: Ready to host international championships.
  • Fitness center and sports recovery facility: Ensuring athletes’ well-being.
  • 26 twin-sharing rooms: Comfortable accommodation for those dedicated to aquatic excellence.
• The Odisha Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) HPC, a joint venture with the JSW group, will operate from this aquatic center, further elevating its significance.

Foundation Stone for Indoor Diving Center

• Chief Minister Patnaik also laid the foundation stone for the Indoor Diving Center, adding another dimension to Kalinga Stadium’s sporting legacy.
• The Diving Center will feature:
  • Temperature-controlled diving pool of 25m: Ideal for divers.
  • Additional 5m for Synchronized Swimming: A unique addition.
  • Seating capacity for 500 spectators: Ready to witness thrilling dives.

Odisha’s commitment to sports development shines through these cutting-edge facilities. Athletes and swimmers now have year-round access to world-class training environments, shielded from external weather disturbances. As India’s first indoor athletics and aquatic centers, they symbolize progress, dedication, and the pursuit of excellence.

 

 

 

Blog By: Trupti Thakur