Sambalpur, Jan 24: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday inaugurated a state-of-the-art indoor stadium and newly constructed staff quarters at the Government College of Physical Education in Kulundi, Sambalpur.



In a post on X, Minister Pradhan said the facilities would provide a major boost to sports infrastructure in western Odisha and encourage students to pursue physical activities alongside academics. He reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision that “If India plays, India will progress,” stressing that sports are essential for both physical and mental development.

ସମ୍ବଲପୁର କୁଲୁଣ୍ଡି ସ୍ଥିତ ‘ସରକାରୀ ଶାରୀରିକ ଶିକ୍ଷା ମହାବିଦ୍ୟାଳୟ’ ପରିସରରେ ଏକ ଅତ୍ୟାଧୁନିକ ଇନଡୋର ଷ୍ଟାଡିୟମ ଏବଂ ‘କର୍ମଚାରୀ ଆବାସ’ ଉଦଘାଟନ କଲି । ମାନ୍ୟବର ପ୍ରଧାନମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ @narendramodi ସବୁବେଳେ କୁହନ୍ତି - "ଖେଳିବ ଭାରତ ତ’ ବଢ଼ିବ ଭାରତ"। କେବଳ ପାଠ ପଢ଼ିଲେ ହେବ ନାହିଁ, ଶାରୀରିକ ଓ ମାନସିକ ବିକାଶ ପାଇଁ ଖେଳକୁଦ… pic.twitter.com/aQ6xj0pIok

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) January 24, 2026

The Minister noted that the new indoor stadium would serve as a platform for talented students from the region to train and compete, thereby nurturing grassroots sporting talent. He added that the inclusion of sports as part of the curriculum under the National Education Policy (NEP)- 2020 reflects the government’s commitment to holistic education.

Pradhan also highlighted the importance of the newly inaugurated staff quarters, which will allow teachers and employees to reside within the college premises. This, he said, would help streamline academic activities and improve the overall functioning of the institution.

The initiatives are expected to strengthen Sambalpur’s position as a hub for physical education and sports training in Odisha. Officials said the projects were designed to meet modern standards, with the indoor stadium equipped to host multiple sporting disciplines.

The Union Minister emphasised that the government’s focus on expanding sports infrastructure across the country is aimed at creating opportunities for youth, fostering discipline, and promoting a culture of fitness. He expressed confidence that the new facilities would inspire students to excel in both academics and athletics.

Odisha’s Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.