NEW DELHI: International Hockey Federation (FIH) President Narinder Batra on Thursday said that Bhubaneswar's Kalinga Stadium, with an increased crowd capacity of 15,000, will be almost ready by July, months before it hosts the Hockey World Cup beginning on November 28.
Batra said the FIH is pleased with the work carried out by the Odisha government in making Kalinga Stadium ready for the quadrennial hockey showpiece, to run from November 28 to December 16.
"Earlier, the main stadium had a capacity of 7,500. Before the World Cup, that crowd capacity will be doubled -- currently seating arrangements are being done," Batra told IANS on the sidelines of an event to announce Odisha's sponsorship association with the national men's and women's hockey teams.
"New turfs will be laid at both the grounds inside the stadium. And the work will be completed by July," he added.
The FIH has asked the state government to arrange accommodation for around 1,000 players and officials from the participating countries.
- Log in to post comments