An International
Hockey Federation (FIH) team inspected the Kalinga Stadium in Odisha – the venue
for the 2014 FIH Champions Trophy – slated to be held from December 3-21.
The FIH team took stock of the preparations as well as the available infrastructure facilities at the Kalinga Stadium and apparently sounded pleased with what they saw. The premier tournament is being organised by Hockey India in conjunction with the Odisha Goverment under the aegis of FIH.
It may be recalled that the Kalinga Stadium had recently hosted the Hockey India League (HIL) and was the home turf of debutants Kalinga Lancers.
Eight top teams – Germany, Australia, The Netherlands, England, Belgium, Pakistan, Argentina and hosts India – will vie for glory.
This is the third time India is hosting the Champions Trophy. Chennai staged it twice in 1996 and 2005.
India made it to the semifinals of the Champions Trophy after a long hiatus at the 2012 edition in Melbourne, where they lost to arch-rivals Pakistan in the bronze medal play-off tie.
The writer can
be contacted at: suhridbarua@gmail.com
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