Bhubaneswar, Nov. 20 -- The Odisha Sports and Youth Services Department has directed the Puri district administration to identify two acres of government land for the establishment of a wrestling and boxing academy, marking a formal move to revive two of the region's oldest sporting traditions.

To officially notify the matter, the department has written to the District Collector seeking 'encroachment-free land' for the project.

In an official communication sent to the Puri Collector, the department conveyed that the government has accorded in-principle approval for the academy. The letter, issued by the department, specified that the land should preferably be located near the District Sports Complex or within its premises to ensure smoo...