Bhubaneswar: As the Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup-2018 is going to commence from November 28,2018, countries for the three pools have been selected. While Argentina, New Zealand, Spain and France would be in Pool-A, teams from Australia, England, Ireland and China would be in Pool-B. Teams from Belgium, India , Canada, and South Africa would be in Pool-C; and Netherlands, Germany, Malaysia and Pakistan would be in Pool-D.
The world cup would be played from November 28 to December 16,2018 . Each day two matches would be played from 5.00 P.M. onwards. Quarter Final would be played on December 12 and 13. Semi-final and Final matches have been scheduled on December 15 and 16 respectively. Champion teams from 16 countries would participate in the World Cup and Matches would be played in 4 pools.
Meanwhile, the Odisha chief secretary AP Padhi, has reviewed the progress made on the preparation front at the 4th Executive Committee meeting of the event, here on Saturday. The meeting was told that the construction, expansion and renovations works in Kalinga Stadium are on full swing as per the time schedule.
The secretary sports & youth services, Vishal Kumar Dev, presented the updates and outlined the issues for discussion.
The director tourism, Nitin Bhanudas Jawle, appraised that so far an inventory of 412 hotels in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri has been prepared for accommodation of players and visitors. Around 78 rooms of PSUs, technical colleges, corporation guest houses have also been identified. Around 8600 beds have been made available to Hockey India League for online booking for the ensuing World Cup. Other 103 hotels have also been identified and surveyed. Tourism department has initiated steps are developing online booking facility for these hotels as well.
Construction and widening of internal roads, drain, food plaza and beautification of stadium are also going as per the schedule. Survey is being undertaken for finalization of 10 acers of land from CDPO campus adjoining the stadium as parking place. Chief Secretary directed the works department to complete the survey within 2 days.
Further Padhi directed the home and police department to make detail traffic movement plan and issue traffic advisories well before the commencement of the event.
Additional chief secretary home Asit Kumar Tripathy , director general police Dr Rajendra Prasad Sharma, principal secretary finance Tuhin Kanta Pandey , secretary handloom & textiles Subha Sharma , municipal commissioner, BMC Krishan Kumar participated in discussions.
