OCA to set up women`s cricket academy at Bolangir

Odisha Cricket Association on Monday announced to set up a women’s cricket academy at Gandhi Stadium in Bolangir. ``The academy will start functioning from the coming season. Coaching will be imparted to under-13 girls and OCA will proved all the facilities, including food,`` said OCA secretary Asirbad Behera, who was felicitated at a function organised by Bolangir District Athletic Association at Gandhi Stadium.

Known as the nursery of women`s cricket in Odisha, Bolangir has the credit of producing the first two woman internationals of the state. They are Madhuri Meheta and Rasanara Parbin. Many more girls of the town have also represented the state in zonal and national championships.

BDDA secretary Hari Narayan Pujari announced that the district body would provide all the support for the establishment and smooth functioning of the academy. Eminent coach Arun Naik, who groomed the woman cricketers at Gandhi Stadium, said the cricket academy would be immensely helpful to nurture talents in an organised manner.
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PHOTO: OCA secretary Asirbad Behera (Right) is felicitated in Bolangir on November 4, 2013.