By Alok Barik

Balasore: A government initiative aimed at nurturing grassroots sporting talent has failed to take off in Balasore, where the Khelo India Kho-Kho Centre has been operating from a thatched structure for the past 19 months, exposing the neglect of basic sports infrastructure.

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The centre, set up at Municipal Government High School near Utkal Balashram, was expected to nurture young Kho-Kho players and revive Balasore's reputation in the sport at state and national levels. However, the absence of a proper training facility and a synthetic playing surface has hampered its growth.

Players are currently forced to practise on mud pitches, while competitions at other venues are held on synthetic mat surfaces, putting them at a disadvantage. A standard practice pitch measuring 35 ft by 22 ft would cost around Rs 10 lakh, but the facility remains unavailable.

Under Khelo India, the centre receives Rs 5 lakh annually, of which Rs 3 lakh goes towards the coach's remuneration and the remaining Rs 2 lakh is meant for equipment, competition participation, physiotherapy and other expenses.

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Despite the shortcomings, the centre is training 51 players, of whom 17 have achieved success at the state level and two at the national level.

District Sports Officer Purna Chandra Jena said a synthetic pitch was essential for the players. The department has apprised the district administration of the requirement and plans to approach senior sports officials for setting up a pitch at Balashram.