Pic via Hockey India
As Odisha gears up to host the biggest tournament in hockey — the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 starting 28 November 2018, the FIH (International Hockey Federation) Event Director made a two-day visit to Bhubaneswar on 25 and 26 June 2018 to ensure the preparations are up to speed in the lead up to the prestigious event which will witness 16 top teams in the world vie for the top spot.
Accompanied by officials from the host federation Hockey India, Ms. Gabrielle van Zwieten, Events Director (FIH), had extensive meetings with Mr. Vishal K Dev, Commissioner-cum-Secretary to Government, Department of Youth Services and Sports and representatives from various departments of Government of Odisha, to discuss the overall progress of work. The day long proceedings also included the 5th Executive Committee Meeting for organisation of the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 chaired by Mr. Aditya Prasad Padhi, Chief Secretary & Chief Development Commissioner, Government of Odisha.
On Tuesday, Gabrielle will also be visiting the remaining facilities to complete her inspection visit, to check the preparedness to host the International teams. “I am delighted with the progress of work here at the Kalinga Stadium and I am quite confident the venue will be ready well within the stipulated time. The keenness of the Odisha Govt and Hockey India to deliver to perfection and leave no stone unturned in their preparations to host the biggest hockey event is worth a mention and I am confident the hockey fraternity will witness a spectacular event starting this November,” stated Gabrielle van Zwieten, Events Director, FIH.
The infrastructural work at the iconic Kalinga Stadium includes the up-gradation of seating capacity to 15,000. The Stadium will also get two brand new pitches. The flood lights at both main pitch and the practice pitch too have been upgraded while the entire main stadium is being given a face-lift with wider roads, new gates, permanent CCTV cameras for safety point of view. “Bhubaneswar is one of the best venues for hockey in the country today. It is not just the passion the people of Odisha have for the sport that makes us want to bring big international events here but it’s also the pro-activeness of the Odisha Govt in terms of providing world-class facilities to ensure visiting teams, officials, spectators from across the globe get the best experience. From Hockey India, we have made regular visits to Bhubaneswar and I am happy to note that the infrastructural work is on schedule,” stated Elena Norman, CEO, Hockey India.