Kalinga Group of Institutions (KGI) Odisha, is going to be a name to reckon with in near future. KGI which has college, several prominent schools including the renowned St. Xaviers’ School is in a process of introducing a sports academy in Jajpur on a huge amount of land it already has.

KGI chairman Alexander Das, speaking to Parallel Sports exclusively explained, “Nowadays the need for sports activities is a must for the overall holistic development of a student. The reason is simple everywhere, in Odisha also, the students are being groomed in a way that they are running after materialistic achievements. "

“They are becoming physically and psychologically hungry for results in the examinations, a job which can help them to earn astronomical amounts of money for physical well-being. But while running after these materialistic achievements they seem to be losing the rhythm or balance in living.”

"Sports is a platform where you can regain psychological well-being. From this perspective, I thought of introducing a sports academy.” 

Das specifically mentioned that his desire is to explore potential kids from the state’s rural area to nurture and make them internationally competent. 

When asked about his plans specifically, the KGI chairman divulged, “The foundation program is scheduled to take place on 6th March. We have plans to start with football, cricket, badminton, and basketball. Then the number of disciplines will increase accordingly following the demands of the students.”

KGI sports academy will be residential and according to the chairman, it will be an international standard within the next couple of years. 

Indrani Sarkar, Bengal’s former footballer has been selected as the chief of grassroot program in football. Sarkar also thanked the chairman and stated, “The most important thing is that the chairman is passionate and he is spending the huge amount of expenses from his pocket.”

Das however informed that they have plans to make tie-ups with premier foreign academies as well as the academies that have flourished in India also for the development of KGI Sports Academy in the future. Once the academy is set up efforts will be made for the tie-ups.