Watch: Odisha Artistes, Sportspersons Extend Invitation For Hockey World Cup

Bhubaneswar: With only 100 days left for the Men’s Hockey World to be held in the city, the preparations, including promotions, are in full swing. The Sports and Youth Services Department of Odisha on Monday tweeted a video, a compilation where artistes and sportsperson from Odisha speak about Hockey and the state.

The video opens with Odissi danseuse Ileana Citarasti extending an invitation to all. “I want everybody to come, you’ll have an amazing time here in Odisha. It is a wonderful state,” she says.

What makes the video so special is a byte from former English Hockey player Philip Wilkinson, who welcomes sports lovers to Bhubaneswar for the event. “I had started playing hockey from a very young age and had also visited India back in 1977. It’s a wonderful place and I wish everyone all the best,” he says.

Likewise, Argentinian Odissi dancer Anandini Dasi also speaks about the state and urges her friends in different parts of the country and the world to witness the mega event in November.

Odisha’s ace sprinter Dutee Chand, who is now at the Asian Games in Jakarta, is only too proud with Odisha hosting the 14th edition of the world cup. “It was being called the Temple City and now, Sports City with all these sports events happening all so frequently,” she says.

First women national shuttler from Odisha, Rutuparna Panda also features in the video.

In his sweet voice and adorable smile, actor Sabyasachi Mishra, representing Ollywood, too has spoken about the glorious state and the world cup. “I am glad Bhubaneswar is becoming the Sports Capital. As many as 16 countries are coming here to play!” he says.

The video concludes with Dilip Tirkey holding a hockey stick and raising it up in the air with dancers joining him as music plays in the background.

The Men’s Hockey World Cup will start on November 28 this year at the Kalinga Stadium.  A total of 36 matches will be played during the 19-day tournament. Two matches would be played a day from 5 pm onward with the quarter finals on December 12 and 13. Semi-final and final matches are slated for December 15 and 16 respectively.

This is the third time that India will be hosting the mega event, which will be first for Odisha.

On Saturday, Director General of Police (DGP) Dr Rajendra Prasad Sharma had reviewed the security arrangements at the stadium, traffic management, parking and other issues.