Samaleswari SC’s preparations for their maiden campaign in the second tier of Indian football have hit a temporary delay, with the club yet to begin its planned pre-season training camp.

MyKhel understands that Samaleswari SC were originally scheduled to begin training on September 12, but the camp has not started as planned. The club is now expected to hold an internal meeting on September 17, following which preparations for the upcoming Indian Football League (IFL) season are likely to resume.

The delay, however, is not expected to put the club under immediate pressure, with the 2026-27 IFL season scheduled to begin on October 30. The league’s governing council confirmed the revised start date earlier this month, giving Samaleswari several weeks to complete their pre-season preparations.

Samaleswari SC to play in Sambalpur

Interestingly, Samaleswari SC are expected to play their IFL home matches in Sambalpur, with the club looking set to use the Veer Surendra Sai Stadium once the league gets underway.

The stadium is owned and operated by the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA). Samaleswari are expected to receive the necessary approval to host their IFL fixtures at the venue, although the final arrangements are yet to be formally confirmed.

The move would be significant for a club whose roots are firmly connected to Sambalpur. The AIFF lists Samaleswari Sporting as being based in Pitapali, Sambalpur district, with the club founded in 2006.

The Veer Surendra Sai Stadium has traditionally been associated with cricket and has a reported capacity of around 20,000.

Samaleswari SC’s rapid rise has already made headlines this year. The club made its Durand Cup debut in 2026, becoming one of the new entrants in the historic tournament. They faced Indian Army, Mohammedan SC and Baghpat FC in the group stage.

They also secured an impressive 3-2 victory over Mohammedan SC in the competition after initially losing 1-0 to the Indian Army.

Samaleswari subsequently secured their place in the IFL after acquiring Delhi FC’s sporting licence, allowing the Sambalpur-based club to step into India’s second tier. The development was confirmed following the IFL Governing Council’s September 8 meeting, with Odisha welcomed as one of the league’s new venues.

With the September 17 meeting now looming, Samaleswari’s immediate focus will be on finalising their plans and getting the squad back on the training ground.