Men's Hockey World Cup 2018: Odisha state govt declare school holiday for opening ceremony

Men's Hockey World Cup 2018: The Kalinga Stadium, where the colourful inaugural programme is scheduled to be held and the matches played, is ready with flags of the participating countries already hoisted.

Image: Twitter

With the 14^th edition of the Men’s Hockey World Cup 2018 at the doorstep, the city of Bhubaneswar is in a frenzy of excitement. All of the 16 participating teams have reached the capital city of Odisha and will play in four pools between November 28 and December 16. The Kalinga Stadium, where the colourful inaugural programme is scheduled to be held and the matches played, is ready with flags of the participating countries already hoisted. The Odisha state government has already declared a holiday for the educational institutes and schools for the opening event. A communication from the Chief Minister’s Office said that schools and educational institutions in Bhubaneswar will remain closed on November 27, while educational institutions across the state will remain functional till 1.30 pm.

At the Kalinga Stadium, the game of hockey will mesmerize the visitors and residents alike. At the IDCO Exhibition ground, icons of Indian music, standup comedy and performing arts will put up shows, enlivening the soul of the city.#FESTinBhubaneswar #HWC2018 pic.twitter.com/GXY6e9D7lj

— Hockey World Cup 2018 - Host Partner (@sports_odisha) November 27, 2018

Director General of Police Rajendra Prasad Sharma on Monday reviewed the security arrangement said security arrangements have been made from the airport to the hotels where the teams will be put up and from there to the stadium. Stars of the tinsel town – Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit – will be present and perform at the inaugural ceremony on Tuesday. Odia actors Sabyasachi Mishra and Archita Sahu will also perform in the inaugural evening. “Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has confirmed his participation in the second inaugural ceremony at Cuttack on Wednesday,” Dev added. Sharma said that traffic movement would be restricted during the Hockey World Cup. Speaking about the deployment of police for the mega event, he said there will be more than 50 police officers above the rank of the deputy superintendent of police in various supervisory roles. There will be inspectors, sub-inspectors and assistant sub-inspectors.