Bhubaneswar: International Hockey Federation (FIH) events director Gabrielle van Zwieten visited the Kalinga Stadium here Monday to inspect the facilities for the upcoming World Cup which will be played November 18 to December 16 here.
Accompanied by Hockey India and Odisha government officials, Zwieten had a tour of the stadium here. She experessed satisfaction at what see saw. “I am delighted with the progress of work here and I am quite confident the venue will be ready well on time,” Zwieten who is on a two-day visit said.
“The keenness of the Odisha government and Hockey India (HI) to deliver to perfection and host the biggest hockey event is worth a mention and I am confident the hockey fraternity will witness a spectacular event starting this November.”
Zwieten was also accompanied by HI CEO Elena Norman, Vishan Dev, secretary of department of sports and youth affairs and other representatives from various departments of the state government.
Apart from visiting the main ground the whole team also inspected the in-house facilities and the periphery surrounding the playing area.
The day long proceedings also included a meeting chaired Aditya Prasad Padhi, Chief Secretary and Chief Development Commissioner of the Odisha government where Zwieten was given a detailed presentation of the commercial as well as other aspects of the tournament.
Meanwhile Norman also asserted that Hockey India in association with the Odisha government is confident of hosting the event without a glitch.
“Bhubaneswar is one of the best venues for hockey in the country. It is not just only the passion for hockey but the proactive functioning of the Odisha government which prompts us to allot top events to the state,” said Norman.
She also informed that both the state government and HI will be starting campaigns from next month in order to create a buzz about the mega event nationwide.