Preparation on to construct hockey turf at Kalinga Sports Complex in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 21: Construction of the second turf at the hockey stadium in the Kalinga Sports Complex is on in full swing.

The venue would host the 35th edition of the Champions Trophy men’s hockey tournament, scheduled to be held in Bhubaneswar from December 6.

Though incessant rain triggered by low pressures in the past two months have led to the delay in construction of the practice turf, the officials are hopeful that it would be over by end of October.

“We would take up the work of installation of floodlights for the second turf, along with its construction. Both would be over by end of October,” said divisional head, Bhubaneswar Construction Division of Idco, Manas Mohanty. Idco has been entrusted to construct the second turf.

A sports department official said Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) would be the principal sponsor for the event. While MCL would contribute Rs 4 crore, Tata Steel and Nalco would also contribute Rs 1.5 crore each for the event. He said the modification in the dressing room and press gallery would also start shortly.

“The remaining area lying adjacent to the playing zone would be developed into parking space during the tournament,” said an official.

Australia (defending champions), Netherlands, Pakistan, Belgium, Germany, Argentina, England and India (host nation) would take part in the tournament.

The existing main synthetic turf had hosted five matches of home team Kalinga Lancers in the second edition of the Hockey India League (HIL). This would be the first international event to be hosted by the 5,000-seater stadium with Olympics-standard pink and blue turf.

“We are hopeful that the state would host the event successfully. The tournament would not only showcase the state capital, but also prove helpful in popularising hockey,” said the official.

On the other hand, hockey lovers are also eagerly waiting for the event. “All the matches held at the stadium during the HIL gave us a thrilling experience of the sports in floodlights.

However, instead of cheering the state-based franchise, we would be cheering for our country during the Champions Trophy,” said Karan Murmu, a hockey enthusiast.