BHUBANESWAR 23-Jul-2015
A high-powered steering committee, formed at the behest of Sports Authority of India, took several decisions today to upgrade the existing facilities at the SAI-SAG Water Sports Centre, located at Jagatpur, Cuttack and add new ones.
In a meeting, featuring its chairman and former Unior Minister K P Singh Deo, SAI Secretary S S Chhabra and SAI Regional Director (Kolkata) M S Gondi, the committee, which has a mandate to develop Jagatpur as a pilot project for centre of excellence in watersports, decided to increase the input of young trainees and broaden its base. It was also decided to establish a Sports Science Centre at the 100-bedded hostel.
Talent scouting and identification of sub-juniors and juniors from the state was discussed at length. Besides upgradation of administrative facilities, training facilities and infrastructure for hosting national camps was discussed and finalised.
Dronacharya Awardee and SAI rowing coach Jose Jacob, Arjun Awardees Col Bhanwala, Col Uberoi, and Jagatpur Centre in-charge Manoj Bhadra were present in the meeting. According to Bhadra, 19 trainees in rowing, canoeing and kayaking would be inducted shortly to the centre, which now has only 16 boys and girls. ``Proposal also has been sent to SAI to provide a canoeing and kayaking coach to the centre,`` added Bhadra.
According to Amay Jyoti Singh Deo, secretary, Odisha Association for Rowing and Sculling, the decisions and the development will be scientifically monitored every quarter.
