BHUBANESWAR 01-Sep-2006 72
Softball is set to get a boost with Orissa Softball Association (OSA) gearing up to host the 19th Sub-junior National Championship at Kalinga Stadium here from September 10 to 15. Over 1,800 boys and girls from 25 States are expected to vie for honours in the six-day championship, which will be conducted on league cum knock-out basis, organising committee chairman Jagneswar told a media conference here today.
Teams will be divided into four groups and top two from each group will advance to the quarterfinals. Punjab will be favourites to retain both the boys and girls titles. Host Orissa will field two teams, comprising 15 boys and an equal number of girls. A coaching camp will be held on OTM ground, Choudwar, from September 3 to 9.
The ensuing championship will cost OSA Rs 10 lakh. ‘‘The National federation will give us Rs 2 lakh. We have sought an assistance of Rs 2 lakh from the State Government. We hope to generate the rest through sponsorship,’’ said OSA secretary Debendra Kumar Sahoo.
Organising secretary Shakti Ranjan Mohanty said OSA was aiming to use the Nationals to revitalise the game in the State and streamline the administrative process of the State body. ‘‘We have organised more National events in the State than that of many mainstream sports bodies. Henceforth, OSA will strive to capitalise on its performance and facilitate the promotion of softball in a bigger way,’’ Mohanty asserted.
According to the organising secretary, Orissa, so far, hosted as many as half a dozen National championships, including three for the seniors. ‘‘Softball has also given Orissa many internationals, among whom Sukant Mondal, Anjubala Sahu, Sunita Burma, Sarmila Mukherjee and Nandita Priyadarshi are known. Now four youngsters (Laxman Achary, Prasanjit Pradhan, Dilip Bhagat and Rabi Narayan Das) are set to represent the country in the Junior Asia Cup at Philippines in December,’’ revealed Mohanty.
Secretary Sahoo said OSA had chalked out plans to re-establish softball as a prominent sport in the State. ‘‘The association will make efforts to spread the game to all the 30 districts, instead of being contented with the existing 18 affiliated ones. Providing imported equipment to all the district bodies on subsidy would be another part of the future plan.’’
‘‘OSA would also rope in more qualified coaches to help groom players in the State. Overall, efforts will be made to give softball the recognition and credibility it deserves,’’ he said as signing off.
