Kendrapada: The district administration has started month-long summer badminton and weightlifting campsfor children aged between 10 and 15 at the indoor stadiums in Pattamundai and Kendrapada. “The initiative is meant to encourage children to take up sports during the summer vacation,” said district sports officer (DSO), Kendrapada, Lokanath Panigrahi.The 180 children participating in both camps are being trained by badminton and weightlifting coaches. “They are learning about the game and undergoing fitness training. Friendly matches are being organised to provide exposure to competitive tournaments,” said Panigrahi. These camps include daily training, tactical sessions and practice matches, aiming to enhance skills and knowledge. Camps also offer classroom education, physiotherapy, and video analysis of the games. “We have eight badminton courts and four weightlifting courts at both stadiums and will ensure that children receive the best training. Children who excel in the sport at the camp will be sponsored by the district association to appear in state-level badminton championships,” added the district sports officer. “I am a great fan of the noted badminton player PV Sidhu, which is why I joined the summer camp for badminton in Kendrapada,” said Barsha Mallick (12) of Ichapur village.The Athletics Association of Aul and many sports clubs recently started summer football camps for girls in Aul popular as the cradle of women footballers. Around 55 girls are now attending the camp in Aul. “Renovation of the stadium is on. So we are providing them training at a nearby playground,” said Bijay Kumar Senapati, secretary, Athletics Association of Aul.Sasmita Mallick was the first footballer from Aul to play in an international tournament in 1998. She was selected by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) as woman footballer for 2016. “Aul block has produced many players who have performed well at international, national and state-level championships,” added Senapati.Aul has produced famous woman footballers like Sasmita Mallick, Gayatri Mallick, Suprava Samal, Sangita Patra, Shardhajali Sahoo, Rasmita Patra, Kausalya Barik, Alochana Senapati, Sinulata Sahoo, Maneka Mallick, Rachita Mallick, Anima Mallick, Josnhya Mallick, Sasmita Behera, and Bijoylaxmi Sahu.”Football is my passion. I got a job in Odisha police and prestige for the game. I advise all budding players to learn the game in this summer camp,” said Alochana Senapati, an international woman footballer of Mulasahi village under Aul block.