Bhubaneswar: Online ticket sales for the Senior Men’s Hockey World Cup started here Monday with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launching it. Patnaik received the first ticket from HI CEO Elena Norman in the presence of state sports minister Chandra Sarathi Behera.
“I am glad to announce the launch of the online ticket sales for the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup, 2018. I am delighted to have received the first ticket. May the hockey fever of the people of Odisha spread to the world,” the CM said on the occasion.
The general tickets have been at Rs 200 (East Stand), Rs 100 (North Stand) and Rs 100 (South Stand) for the pool and crossover matches while tickets for the knockout matches have been priced at Rs 250 (East Stand), Rs 150 (North Stand) and Rs 150 (South Stand). One can avail those at http://in.ticketgenie.in/buytickets/hockey-world-cup-2018 .
The tournament at the iconic Kalinga Stadium will see a total of 36 matches to be played, November 28 to December 16. Belgium will face Canada in the tournament opener November 28 while hosts India will open their campaign against South Africa later in the day. India’s second and third Pool games are against Belgium (December 2) and Canada (December 8) respectively.
HI president Rajinder Singh praised the city for being an amazing host during the Hockey World League Finals last year. He said that it is an honour for India to host the global hockey extravaganza as it gives the passionate hockey fans from India an opportunity to witness the world’s best players in action.
“The event received an overwhelming response from the fans who turned up in huge numbers to enjoy the games, braving the cold and rain on some days. It has created a benchmark for the men’s Hockey World Cup and we hope that this time we will receive greater response than 2017,” Singh said.