Dharani Dhar sports complex inaugurated by Chief Minister, Orissa
Tata Steel invests Rs 5 crore for the uplift of sports in interiors of Orissa

Tata Steel’s proactive effort to promote sports in Orissa and make it ‘a way of life’ received a much awaited impetus today with the inauguration of the Dharani Dhar Sports Complex at Sankarpur in Keonjhar. The complex was laid open by Mr Naveen Patnaik, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Orissa. With this, Tata Steel successfully achieves a milestone in its mission to empower the interiors of Orissa while reaffirming its partnership with the State.

The Dharani Dhar sports complex is designed to house an indoor games hall, spectators’ galleries and 400 meters running tracks. Besides, there is sufficient space within the complex for additional facilities that would be incorporated in a phased manner as per requirement. The indoor games hall will include a gymnasium, a row of changing rooms for both male and female athletes as well as separate Badminton, Basket Ball, and Volley Ball courts. The spectators’ galleries are structured to accommodate around 1500 spectators.

A part of the spectator gallery is covered and has facilities for accommodating athletes. This apart, the gallery of the indoor games hall can accommodate 200 persons. The total built up area of the hall is 1550 sq meters. Besides, there would be a stage with green room which can be used for multiple purposes. This multi-utility Rs 5 crore project has been designed and constructed by Jamshedpur Utilities Services Company Ltd (JUSCO), a 100% subsidiary of Tata Steel.

Inaugurating the stadium, Honble Chief Minister, Shri Patnaik said, “The unveiling of the Dharani Dhar Sports Complex has made Keonjhar an unmatched place for nurturing sports talent in Orissa. I heartily thank Tata Steel for their inclination to work for the empowerment of the people of Orissa.” Mr Patnaik had laid the foundation stone of the Sports Complex at Keonjhar on 16th December, 2006.

Mr H M Nerurkar, Managing Director, Tata Steel Ltd said, “Sports is a way of life at Tata Steel. The Company has always been at the forefront in honing local talent and bringing it at par with national and international standards. Our efforts in Kalinganagar. Joda and Sukinda have started paying off. Young talents from the state are now being nurtured at Tata Football Academy, Tata Archery Academy and Tata Athletics Academy.”

Mr Badri Narayan Patra, Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Mr Prabin Chandra Bhanj Deo, Minister for Sports & Youth Services, Revenue and Disaster Management, Mr Pratap Jena,Honble Minister, School & Mass Education, Mr Partha Sengupta, Vice President ,Tata Steel Ltd, Mr Arun Kumar Misra, General Manager, OMQ , Tata Steel, Smt Debjani Chakrabarti, Collector & DM (Keonjhar) along with other diginitories and Tata Steel officials were present at the inaugural ceremony.