The much awaited process to set up the HAL-SAI Sports Academy picked up momentum with the selection of 21 trainees earlier this week. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) would manage the academy in association with Sports Authority of India (SAI) at Sunabeda.

The academy, offering training and coaching facilities in football and archery, has a plan to induct over 100 trainees from undivided Koraput district. ``Trainees would be provided with free loding, boarding and schooling facilities,`` said academy chairman and HAL Assistant General Manager Maloy De on the occasion of the selection trial.

The 21 trainees, comprising 16 in football and five in archery, were selected from among 100 boys and girls between the age group of 13 to 15 years. They came from Malkangiri, Nabrangpur, Koraput and Raygada districts.

District Sports Officer R K Jena, HAL General Manager Ashok Aseri and SAI coaches were present during screening of the trainees. The academy is scheduled to be inaugurated by the Union Sports and Youth Affairs Minister MS Gill towards the end of the current month.