Preparations for ensuing Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup-2018 have picked up. The progress of the work was reviewed by Chief Secretary AP Padhi at the 5th Executive Committee Meeting of Odisha Hockey Men’s’ World Cup at the State Secretariat on Monday.
Sports & Youth Services Secretary Vishal Kumar Dev presented the updates. Taking a project-wise review of the progress, Padhi asked the Idco and the Works Department to complete infrastructural works by September keeping space for other works to be finished in time.
The proposal for organisation of a ‘City Festival’ during the World Cup was approved. The festival with Odishan cultural flavour would consist of International Food Festival, Story Telling Festival, Art & Craft Festival, etc.
In addition to the existing two committees, seven other committees were finalised to manage various aspects of the grand event. The existing committees are the Governing Body under the chairmanship of the Sports and Youth Services Minister and the Executive Committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary.
The review showed that the reconstruction of the swimming complex in the Kalinga Stadium has been completed and it would be given the finishing touch soon. The construction of new galleries and expansion of existing galleries for enhancing sitting capacity in the stadium have been fastened. Repairing of shock-pad pitch is completed. A target was set to complete laying of new turfs during first fortnight of July before conduct of pitch certification exercise.
It was decided to bring in 50 standard AC and 50 non-AC buses under the City Bus Modernisation Plan. The projects for renovation and construction of bus depots at Patrapada, Patia and Pokhariput have also been finalised.
Wi-Fi network coverage would be provided in all priority corridors with 75 locations and 300 access points before the event. It was also decided to set up additional roadside urinals and public toilets. So far, the BMC has already constructed 60 public toilets and 50 hybrid toilets across the city. It was decided to construct 60 more public toilets and 100 urinals.
The matches for the World Cup would be played from November 28 to December 16. Each day two matches would be played from 5 pm onwards. Quarterfinals would be played on December 12 and 13. Semifinal and Final matches are scheduled on December 15 and 16, respectively.
Champion teams from 16 countries would participate in the event and matches would be played in four pools. Argentina, New Zealand, Spain and France would be in Pool-A. Australia, England, Ireland and China would be in Pool-B. Belgium, India , Canada, and South Africa would be in Pool-C; and the Netherlands, Germany, Malaysia and Pakistan would be in Pool-D.