Bhubaneswar, Jan. 20: Kalinga Lancers will begin its Hockey India League campaign here on Sunday. But sports lovers across the state are still high on cricket with India's spectacular win against England at Barabati Stadium yesterday.

But sports lovers are not the only ones to be blamed as the administration is also accused of meting out differential treatment to hockey players.

The hockey players had to be shifted out of a Bhubaneswar hotel to accommodate the cricketers. "We hardly have anything to do. However, the players are happy with the arrangements and will focus on the matches," said an official in charge of supervising the hockey team.

Cricket fever gripped the twin cities with a packed Barabati Stadium cheering India on Thursday. However, there was hardly anyone to cheer the 21 state hockey players who dribbled around at Kalinga Stadium yesterday as they waited for their practice match with the Kalinga Lancers to begin.

Though the Lancers had trained in the morning, they did not turn up in the evening, much to the disappointment of the state hockey players. There was hardly anyone in the stadium to watch the practice session. Yesterday, only a few labourers were seen readying hoardings and others cleaning seats at the stadium.

Sudhir Ekka, a junior national player, said: "Hockey is our national sport. But, we have failed to give it its due. However, of late, the state government is promoting the game. People's mindset has to change."

Ekka lamented that though a big match was going to be played in Bhubaneswar, people were not coming forward.

Though there was no official communication about the practice match being cancelled, sources said it was because police were busy providing security to the cricketers. The Lancers had a rest day today though there is just a day left before the tournament. Sources said the cops would be busy today because of the presence of cricketers and the visit of BJP president Amit Shah.

Local hockey coach K.C. Choudhury said: "Cricket fever has taken a toll on hockey in Odisha. There are many reasons for this. While Under-20 cricket matches are telecast, even senior level hockey matches don't get the same privilege. If we don't promote hockey at the national level, it is bound to affect the game."