Odisha govt plans infra boost to host Hockey World Cup in 2018

Bhubaneswar: As Bhubaneswar is set to host the Hockey World Cup in 2018, the Odisha government has decided to boost infrastructure facilities at Kalinga Stadium here.

The government has also decided to promote the art and culture during the world class event where players of 16 countries will clash for the world title.

A preparatory meeting was held under the chairmanship of chief secretary A.P. Padhi to discuss the detailed programme and work plan for the world-class event.

The matches are scheduled to be played in November and December next year. A total of 16 teams will participate.

“The meeting has in principle decided to organise the hockey world cup. The final and official announcement for the event would be done by Hockey India League. The state government will provide all support and assistance for the successful organisation of this international event,” said the chief secretary.

In the meeting, it was decided that the beautification works at Kalinga Stadium will soon start as it will host most of the matches during the three-week long event.

‘This for the 3rd  time that India is going to organise the prestigious World Cup and Odisha is proud of getting the chance to host it at Bhubaneswar. We will soon make the detailed programme and work plan for meeting the requirements like transport, hotel accommodation, stadium development, security arrangements and execute them as per the timeline,” said sports secretary Vishal Dev.

India had hosted the Hockey World Cup twice – first in 1982 at Mumbai and then at Delhi in 2010.