A four-member joint team of International Hockey Federation (FIH) and Hockey India today confirmed that the 35th Men`s Champions Trophy Tournament would be staged here at Kalinga Stadium from December 6 to 14. This is the first time that Odisha would be hosting an international hockey tournament.
The team, comprising FIH Event Coordinator Yasemin Bay, Broadcast Manager of FIH Rupert Rumney, Hockey India CEO Elena Norman and Joint-Director B N Bhusan confirmed Kalinga Stadium as the lone venue for the eight-nation elite tournament after inspecting the facilities of the newly constructed hockey complex today. The team also visited different star hotels during its two-day trip to the Temple City.
``The connectivity from the airport to the venue and the hotels are good. The infrastructure here at Kalinga Stadium is of international standard, but needs a few restructuring. Overall we are very much satisfied with the available facilities,`` said Bay.
``We also feel happy the way Odisha Government is supporting us. The stadium will have two astro-turfs, including one for practice purpose. The main turf is already in use and the work for the other one is going on. The state government has assured us that the entire construction work will be completed before the schedule,`` added the FIH Event Coordinator.
She ruled out the possibility of Kalinga Stadium and Delhi-based Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium sharing matches of the ensuing Champions Trophy. FIH Broadcast Manager Rumney expressed hope that Kalinga Stadium would draw huge crowd for the Champions Trophy. ``Being a medium sized stadium and the growing popularity of the game in Odisha, the Champions Trophy is expected to draw huge crowds to the ground,`` he said.
``The crowd showed good discipline and temperament at the time of Hockey India League (HIL) matches here. We expect this time they will cheer for the home team as well as for the overseas teams,`` he added.
This was FIH team`s second visit to Bhubaneswar and the earlier team, comprising the world body`s CEO Kelly Fairweather and Marketing Adviser Mathew Osmon, were also impressed with the facilities here.
State Sports Department Secretary Saswat Mishra, who guided the FIH delegates during their inspection, said all efforts would be made to make Champions Trophy a grand success.
``Hockey India will host the event in collaboration with Hockey Odisha and the State Government. We are putting all our efforts to make the tournament a grand success,`` he said. Mishra assured that changes suggested by the FIH team would be carried on war footing.
``As required by the FIH, the dope testing centre would be shifted from the top floor to the ground floor. Facilities in the Media zone would be improved further. Laying of the second astro turf and addition of temporary lights and dressing rooms at the practice ground would be completed by August 31,`` added the Sports Secretary.
According to the schedule, host India, defending champions Australia, Netherlands, Pakistan, Belgium, Argentina, England and Germany would fight for the title in the Champions Trophy. From this year on the tournament will begin to be held biannually due to the introduction of the Hockey World League, returning to its original format changed after the inaugural tournament in 1978.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOTO: FIH and HI delegates inspect facilities at Kalinga Stadium Hockey Complex in Bhubaneswar on July 16, 2014