Good news for women footballers and men volleyball players of Odisha. Sports Authority of India (SAI) has decided to induct trainees in the two disciplines in its residential hostel, located at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack from this year.

According to Cuttack SAI Training Centre in-charge Manoj Bhadra, 20 trainees in women football and 15 in men volleyball will be given admission this year. ``The date(s) to conduct the selection trial will take place shortly after getting approval from SAI Regional Centre, Kolkata,`` said Bhadra on Friday.
He also informed that Cuttack SAI Centre will provide non-residential training facilities to sepak-takraw players from this year. At present, the centre imparts residential training in athletics, football and basketball.

Including more disciplines at the Cuttack SAI Centre has been possible after the shifting of the hostel from from the old gallery complex to a renovated dormitory building within Barabati Stadium campus three months ago. According to an MOU singed in August, 2013, Odisha Olympic Association (OOA) provided the dormitory building free of cost, while the renovation cost was borne by the State Sports Department.