Bhubaneswar, Nov. 6: Officials of the state sports department and police today inspected the newly built synthetic turf stadium at Kalinga Sports Complex here.
They oversaw the security arrangements for the upcoming Champions Trophy scheduled at the venue from December 6.
A sports department official said the teams would start arriving in Bhuba-neswar from the last week of November.
“As the tournament features around eight teams, including India, adequate police deployment would be made to thwart any untoward incidents,” said deputy commissioner of police Satyabrata Bhoi.“As four matches would be played every day, police deployment would be required for a long time. Besides, we would ensure that the entry and exit points of players and spectators are segregated,” said Bhoi.
Preparations are on in full swing to complete the construction of the second practice turf. The officials are hopeful that the construction of the practice turf would be over by the third week of November.
The sports department is also planning to launch a massive campaign to make the tournament successful. “We will put up hoardings at various places across the state to draw spectators,” said a sports department official.
Yesterday, the Hockey India had announced Mahanadi Coalfields Limited, a subsidiary of Coal India Limited, as their new principal partner for the trophy scheduled to be held from December 6 to 14.
India would take on Germany on December 6. India is placed in the Pool-B that includes Netherlands, Germany and Argentina. Pool-A would feature Australia, Belgium, England and Pakistan.
The sports department officials are hopeful of a successful tournament, which would give Bhubaneswar an edge in claiming matches for Hockey World Cup to be hosted by India in 2018.
“The pink and blue combination of the synthetic turf has made the stadium different from other turfs in the country. However, a good turnout of spectators would definitely make us a strong contender for the World Cup matches,” said a sports department official.
