Bhubaneswar: With less than two weeks to go for the FIH Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup, the players from 16 countries over the world will practice at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar. The 12th edition of the Junior World Cup will be held at the Kalinga Stadium here from November 24 to December 5.
Odisha is once again getting ready to welcome the world when it hosts 16 teams in the FIH Men’s Hockey Junior World Cup.
All the players from 16 countries including India, Chile, Argentina, Belgium, Malaysia, Netherlands, Poland, France, United States, South Africa, Korea, Germany, Canada, Spain, Pakistan and Egypt have already arrived in Bhubaneswar and will begin their practice sessions at KIIT stadium. Large scale arrangements have been done on the advice of Founder of KIIT and Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) Achyuta Samanta.
The hockey stadium have been directed to be regularly sanitized from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Amid the strict security arrangements for the players, s many as 1000 LED floodlights have been arranged in the KIIT hockey stadium so that the players have a clear view on the ball and the game during their practice.
Meanwhile, Odisha Sports Minister Tusharkanti Behera said that there is indeed disappointment among the players and hockey lovers, as the event will not have any spectator owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. The FIH and Hockey India have ensured that the matches are broadcast live and hockey lovers can enjoy the matches on the Watch Hockey app and Star Sports network, he added.
The last Junior World Cup was held in Lucknow in 2016, when India colts had lifted the trophy after defeating Belgium in the final.
Also read: Odisha, Hockey India working for smooth conduct of Junior World Cup
Ms Kalinga