Bhubaneswar: The students of SOA Deemed to be University in Bhubaneswar welcomed the Men’s Hockey World Cup Trophy with great enthusiasm on Sunday.
As the vehicle carrying the World Cup trophy rolled into the campus, it was welcomed with fireworks and drumbeats. The trophy was positioned on a nicely decorated podium for more than an hour as students of different institutes under SOA performed a variety of dance and musical numbers. NCC cadets and security personnel presented a guard of honour as the trophy was brought to the podium.
Earlier in the day, the trophy which was on a nationwide tour, reached the city and was taken to several other venues before being brought to the new SOA stadium where the university’s vice-chancellor Prof Ashok Kumar Mahapatra, senior officials, faculty members and students were present to receive it.
Minister for Public Enterprises, Science and Technology, Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disability Ashok Chandra Panda, Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das, Deputy Mayor Manjulata Kanhar, Commissioner Vijay Amrit Kulange, corporators and senior officials of SOA were present.
Speaking on the occasion, Panda appealed to the people to extend all possible courtesy to the international players, media persons, officials and supporters of different teams visiting the state during the tournament and ensure that they were comfortable.
