Kalinga Stadium fully prepared for ISL extravaganza

Bhubaneswar: Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar is fully ready to host the first game in the ongoing season of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) on Friday.

The match will be played between home team Odisha FC and neighbouring Jamshedpur FC at 7:30 in the evening on 27th December.

After playing nine games away from the Kalinga Stadium, OFC will play in their home city for the first time ever in the franchise history.

The players are all pumped up ahead of the game on Friday and so is the club management.

The club has received full support from the Department of Sports and Youth Services, Government of Odisha.

The government, like all other sport, is committed towards the growth of football in the state and has helped the club in smooth conduct of the remaining six home matches of the club in Bhubaneswar.

Ahead of the ISL game between Odisha FC and Jamshedpur FC, Sports Minister Tusharkanti Behera said, “It is an exciting moment for all of us as Odisha’s ISL team Odisha FC play their first home match here at Kalinga Stadium.

The stadium is match ready and will be hosting six home matches this season. I urge all football enthusiasts and sports lovers to come and cheer for their home team and enjoy a good game of Football. I wish the entire team of Odisha FC a great season ahead.”

Speaking ahead of the game, midfielder Vinit Rai said, “Our job is to play and give our best on the pitch and that we will do for sure. But, if the people from Odisha will come to support us, it will be an extra boost of energy. I want the crowd to come in big numbers and support us throughout the match and throughout the season.”

Odisha FC CEO Ashish Shah has also expressed his delight saying, “It has been a tough season so far for the entire team as we have played all games away from Bhubaneswar. We are happy to now play in front of our fans. People in the state are very passionate about sports and we are hopeful that they will come in big numbers to support us at our home – Kalinga Stadium.”

Spectators can buy tickets from Paytm Insider and counter tickets are available near Gate No. 4 of Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar.