K. ARUMUGAM

As you exit from main exit of Patna airport, nothing is visible as a structure of new airport under construction, hides everything.  Took an auto to reach what is locally known as ‘Zero Mile’ to get private bus to Rajgir, destination of Asian Women’s Champions Trophy. The 17 km travel runs parallel to new metro under construction. It took 40 minutes to reach and it took hardly a minute to board a connecting bus to Rajgir. Even in Airport and at major road junctions I could see posters of WACT.

Had stops at Bhaktiyarpur, Nalanda, Bihar Sheriff etc before reaching Rajgir. One commonality all these stop overs are all pervasive billboards with Bihar Chief Minister prominently promoting WACT. Seems hockey has got a much eluding State for its growth.

Poster all along and everywhere…hockey goes places

The BPEd Student sat next to me and travelled about 30,35 kms before getting down at Nalanda knows hockey tournament taking place in Rajgir. But she is frank enough to admit she doesn’t like hockey but only badminton. She is a street badminton player. She admits happily many people are coming to Rajgir to watch a new thing. But she won’t come. Why? The tickets are free, there will be crowd, disorderly which she doesn’t like. I respect her views. Her pet name is Tochan but on record it is Beauty Kumari. oh…I can relate her to hockey what with as her namesake is in the national team. Unlike Tochan, her colleague is interested in hockey but was not in discussing as she was busy watching reels most of them are WACT highlights as can be deduced from the voice. So far so good.

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It was Indian Press Day on  Saturday. Was told it was celebrated grandly. Such dignitary as Vice-Chancellor of Nalanda University was invited by the local press people as a part of the celebrations. Senior most journalist cut a cake. All were given token gift. I don’t think Delhi pressmen celebrate their own day!

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Welcome sign boards in Chinese

The Rajgir Sports Complex is new addition to the State. It has come about a couple of years back, most of the playfields,  infrastructure etc are under various stages of construction. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to reach there.All along the road that takes you to the sports complex from main city is flush with welcome boards, Chief Minister, the host in chief, flashing familiar smiling face. Its novel to notice some of the welcome boards are written in Chinese, Thai and Malay languages, hope the visiting teams noticed. Will confirm this very soon.

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The Rajgir Sports Complex, sprawling and green, wears a great aesthetic look, building in red, shaped in ancestral architectural fashion, present something unique to the state. I feel a different experience due to the conceptual and constructional beauty, and the huge cost invested in making it look most attractive and purposeful.

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Items of interest to fans are also many. With more than 20 stalls there is a Food Park. The cut outs of mascot Guida are present across all places. Some are giant sized. One can see how kids take selfie with energetic looking Gudiya.

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Another item that seemingly impresses fans is photo corner. Half a dozen large size hockey sticks are arranged on both sides at considerable height and one can stand inbetween for a perfect photo opportunity. You will have flags of all six flags of the participating nations.

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Interestingly, branding is done not only the inside periphery of the hockey stadium but also outside, mammoth exercise. This includes all entry gates round the turf stands. But the one that catches everybody’s eyes is almost 60 feet long mural of captain Salima Tete that hangs on tall Sports Hostel overlooking western end of the turf ground.

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It gets dark early here around 5.00 and the last match is almost played under floodlights. As you can recall, matches were scheduled in the floodlights but had to be advanced due to insect invasions. However, one volunteer wondered. “We did not see any insects in the late evenings or night after advancing has been done!”

Setting is perfect not just with branding and decorations all around but also from spectator visibility point of view. The gap between turf and the turf is small, like Shivaji Stadium in  New Delhi. So, one can see action as close as possible, hear voices of players clearly and savour live emotions without TV bringing close ups!

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more to come.