Glittering performances in inaugural match of Hockey India League in Odisha

BHUBANESWAR: The Kalinga Stadium on Monday went abuzz with high-intensity performances on some foot-tapping numbers as the city got ready to host the opening match of the 4th edition of the Coal India Hockey India League 2016.

The glittering opening ceremony was graced by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, while local celebrities performed to enthral the audience before the much-awaited opening match between home team Kalinga Lancers and Uttar Pradesh Wizards went underway.

The other dignitaries present were Industry Debi Prasad Mishra, Sithirta Bhattacharya, Chairman Coal India Ltd and Narinder Dhruv Batra, Chairman, Coal India Hockey League unveiled the HIL 2016 trophy.

The opening ceremony kick started with a spectacular performance by Be-Bop aerobatic dancers followed by the dance performances of popular Bollywood numbers from Archita and Sabyasachi Mishra.

The six-team annual club based hockey league, the flagship event of Hockey India – the apex body governing the sport in the country and sanctioned by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) is scheduled to be played across six venues in India from 18th January – 21st February 2016.

The six Franchises battling for supremacy in the richest field hockey league in the world are Jaypee Punjab Warriors, Delhi Waveriders, Kalinga Lancers, Uttar Pradesh Wizards, Dabang Mumbai and defending champions Ranchi Rays.