Stage set for ISL match between Jamshedpur FC, Bengaluru FC at Kalinga Stadium

Bhubaneswar: The Jamshedpur Football Club (JFC) on Friday announced it will be playing its Hero Indian Super League (ISL) football match at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneshwar.

The ISL match will be played against Bengaluru FC on February 25.

“We are proud to bring the Jamshedpur FC home match to Bhubaneswar, to enable the people of the state to experience and be part of ISL, the football fever that has captured the nation’s imagination”, said Sports secretary Vishal Kumar Dev.

Commenting on the developments, he further said, the Kalinga Stadium is being revamped and upgraded as per standards of ISL regulations.

Player dressing rooms have been newly created. The match-playing and practice grounds have been developed. Additional bucket seats have been put in as well, he added.

Members of the media from Bhubaneswar as well as those from across the country and overseas are also expected to have a superior experience at the Media Room where pre and post-match briefings will be held as well as a Media Center for ISL Accredited journalists.

Photographers will get a dedicated area in the Field of Play (FOP) which will be adjacent to the ground.

On the preparation for the match, Police Commissioner YB Khurania said, “All preparations have been made in the stadium and its vicinity as per ISL standard, as far as security and entering spectators into the stadium are concerned.”

“We are thankful to the sports lovers of the state in general and Bhubaneswar in particular for cooperating with the police in maintaining law and order during the recent sports events and would urge their cooperation in maintaining law and order for smoothly organizing this match,” he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice President, MD of Tata Steel Special Economic Zone Arun Misra said, “Tata Group, and Tata Steel, have always had a very strong connection with the community and Jamshedpur FC will further strengthen the same. Jamshedpur FC is Tata Group and Tata Steel’s attempt to contribute to Indian football and to see Indian football make advances to the world stage”.

He expressed hope that JFC would be well received and accepted by the people of Odisha and would get the full support of the people of Odisha.