BHUBANESWAR 02-Oct-2013 173
A two-member team of International Hockey Federation (FIH) today visited the newly-constructed hockey stadium here to assess the facilities available for staging international matches. The team, comprising FIH CEO Kelly Fairweather and Marketing Adviser Mathew Osmon, and accompanied by Hockey India (HI) CEO Elena Norman and Competitions Director Todd Faulds, suggested a few additions and alterations while expressing satisfaction about the existing facilities.
According to VVSN Rao, the infrastructure consultant of Odisha Council of Sports, the advisory body of State Sports Department, the IHF staff members were more than happy about the facilities, especially the blue-&-pink synthetic surface of the stadium. ``They also visited a couple of star hotels to know which one can accommodate all teams during international matches. They were happy that the stadium was located in the vicinity of airport and star hotels,`` said Rao.
Regarding development of peripheral facilities, Rao said the FIH team was assured that these would be completed soon. ``Installation of high-mast floodlights will be completed by the end of the current year. Laying of another synthetic surface for practice purpose has already started and other additions such as medical centre, media centre, broadcasting centre and electronic scoreboard will be fulfilled by the middle of next year,`` he elaborated.
During their visit to the stadium, the FIH staff had discussion with State Development Commissioner I Srinivas, IDCO CMD Visal Deb, Sports and Youth Services Director DV Swami, Bhubaneswar Municipal Commissioner Sanjib Mishra, Khurda District Collector Niranjan Sahu and Hockey Odisha secretary Pratap Satapathy.
According to Rao, the hockey stadium, which is a part of the multi-discipline Kalinga Stadium, has already obtained green signal from HI to to stage some matches of the 2nd Hockey Indian League in January-February next year. After the addition of other facilities as required by FIH, it could be a venue for next year`s Champions Trophy and the 2018 World Cup.
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PHOTO: FIH and Hockey India staff members visit the Bhubaneswar Hockey Stadium on October 2, 2013.
