Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) today announced to establish a Centre of Excellence, comprising two verticals in Cuttack. The decision in this regard was taken at the Apex Council meeting of the State governing body for cricket, held at the OCA office, Barabati Stadium, Cuttack.

The first vertical of the OCA Centre of Excellence, featuring a residential cricket academy, will be named after Dr Harekrushna Mahatab, the first Chief Minister of Odisha and the first president of OCA. 

According to an OCA press release, Dr Harekrushna Mahatab Cricket Feeder Centre will accommodate 50 boys and 30 girls in the under-14 age category. Every aspect of their development, including training, education, nutrition, health, and overall welfare, will be comprehensively taken care of by OCA.

Under the seconde vertical, the Sachin Tendulkar Indoor Hall, existing inside Barabati Stadium, will be transformed into Sachin Tendulkar Sports Science Centre. The centre will be equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure and advance sports science technologies to support the holistic development and performance enhancement of cricketers in the state, with a special focus on injury management, athlete monitoring, scientific training, and rehabilitation.

The Apex Council meeting was attended by OCA president Pankaj Lochan Mohanty, vice-president Jagamohan Pattnaik, secretary Sanjay Behera, joint-secretary Prabhat Kumar Bhol, treasurer Bikash Pradhan, Apex Council members Pratap Chandra Pradhan, Rakesh Mohanty and Gita Samantray.
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PHOTO: Office-bearers of OCA present at the Apex Council meeting in Cuttack on 18 July 2025.