Bhubaneswar: Odisha Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj on Monday inaugurated a 25-metre state-of-the-art indoor swimming pool at the Government College of Physical Education (GCPE) in the Tamando area of Bhubaneswar, marking a significant step towards strengthening aquatic sports infrastructure in the state.
The facility, constructed by the Odisha Bridge and Construction Corporation (OBCC) at a cost of ₹11.69 crore, is aimed at providing advanced training opportunities for young and aspiring swimmers. The modern pool is expected to play a key role in nurturing talent and improving Odisha’s performance in swimming at national and international competitions.
The inaugural event was attended by Additional Secretary of the Sports and Youth Services Department Bijay Swain, Additional District Magistrate Pratap Behura, GCPE Principal Suresh Mohapatra, along with other senior officials, coaches, and sportspersons.
Addressing the gathering, the Sports Minister announced that the state government plans to establish similar swimming pool facilities in 13 more districts in the coming years. He emphasised that swimming has strong medal-winning potential at national-level competitions and reiterated the government’s commitment to expanding sports infrastructure across Odisha.
Suraj also reviewed the progress of other ongoing sports projects in the vicinity, including the development of a football ground and a synthetic athletic track being executed by the Odisha Police Housing and Welfare Corporation (OPHWC).
Urging athletes to remain disciplined and dedicated, the minister encouraged them to work hard and bring laurels to Odisha at national and international platforms. He congratulated the young talents present at the event and described the new facility as a major boost to youth-centric sports development in the state.
The inauguration of the indoor swimming pool is being seen as a landmark addition to Odisha’s growing sports ecosystem, reinforcing the state’s focus on high-quality training infrastructure and athlete development.
-OdishaAge
