Kalinga Stadium all set to host the mega Hero Champions Trophy 2014

Bhubaneswar, 30 November 2014: With the Hero Men’s Champions Trophy 2014 all set to kick-start on 6 December 2014, the occasion will also mark Kalinga Stadium hosting its first International Hockey tournament.

Creating a top-notch destination for world class hockey, the Kalinga stadium was raised in 2010 with a seating capacity of 7,000 spectators. With premier and illustrious flood-lights installed in the arena, the stadium even flaunts of being India’s first to meet the Olympic standard of pink and blue hockey turfs. The stadium with both its Pitch 1 & 2, is ready to host the best teams. The stadium also boasts of huge changing rooms which are equipped to provide the players the comfort and relaxation of a home, away from home.

Being the proud host of the first major international-level hockey tournament in Odisha state, the Commissioner-cum-Sports Secretary, Sports and YS Department, Government of Odisha, Saswat Mishra, who is also the Co-Chair of the Organising Committee today met the Australian hockey team at Kalinga Stadium.

He also inspected the infrastructure of Kalinga Stadium and the facilities of the host venue.

Speaking after his visit at the stadium, Shri Saswat Mishra said, “It is an honour that India is hosting an International tournament of this stature. It is a bigger delight for the Government of Odisha as the Tournament is happening at the Kalinga Stadium which boasts of world class infrastructure on par with the best in the world. I am sure the visiting teams will enjoy playing here and we look forward to organizing more such tournaments at this stadium.”

“I am also happy to meet the team which dominates field hockey across the world and the only team which has to its credit of winning the title of the Champions Trophy 13 times. I am sure being the defending champions, they will be looking at retaining the title. I wish them and all the teams all the best and may the best team win the prestigious trophy. It will be interesting to watch England taking on Australia on the opening match on the opening day of the tournament.”

Commenting on the splendid top-class stadium, Roelant Oltmans said, “It’s amazing how the stadium has changed from the last Hero Hockey India League which was played earlier in the year. I can say the stadium has every quality of being classed as a world class stadium. The amenities here meet every standard of hosting International tournaments and I am excited to see the matches being played here. Also such great world class infrastructure will also help in the growth of the game in the country”

The inaugural match of the Hero Men’s Champions Trophy will be played on 6th of December 2014, between Australia and England.

The Hero Men’s Champions Trophy 2014 will be aired live on Ten Sports.