Bhubaneswar gears up operations for Odisha Men’s Hockey World League Final

Bhubaneswar, 23 November 2017: Over 40 drivers, 130 volunteers and 20 ball kids have been recruited by Hockey India and the Regional Transport Office Bhubaneswar along with support from the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) and the Sports department, Government of Odisha for supporting operations at the upcoming Odisha Men’s Hockey World League Final taking place in the city from 1-10 December 2017.

Chaired by Mr. Sanjay Kumar Behera, RTO Bhubaneshwar alongside Mr. BN Bhushan, Joint Director Hockey India, Mr. Sudhir Behara, DGM (Operations) OSRTC and motor vehicle inspectors Me. HK Padhy and Mr. BD Sahu a comprehensive orientation program for driver’s was held. Twenty two bus drivers and 20 innova drivers have been recruited for the tournament transport facility. They were oriented to key routes to and from the Kalinga stadium, available facilities, parking as well as imparted with soft skills like key do’s & donts, hygiene and respect for guests. All drivers recruited will be catered for by the organisers in terms of food and accommodation for the entire duration. The drivers have been recruited basis a zero accident record. The OSS transport corporation has provided brand new buses to be plied for the first time during the tournament.

Other preparations are further underway alongside regular training, orientation and drills with volunteers, sports specific volunteers, ball kids and flag bearers administered by Joint Director, Hockey India and Sr. Manager Competitions, Hockey India, respectively. All the recruits for this are from the sports department hostel of Bhubaneswar and Rourkela. Also, each participating country and group of FIH Technical official will be assigned a Liaison Officer who have been appointed from the Odisha Administrative Services department to ensure smooth management of all incoming teams from different countries.

Speaking on the occasion, Mohd. Mushtaque Ahmad, Secretary General, Hockey India said, “We are pleased that in close collaboration with various departments of the state government of Odisha we are bringing together so many people to volunteer and participate in the operations of this important international event, the Odisha Men’s Hockey World League Final Bhubaneswar 2017. This initiative gives an opportunity and exposure to many people from the region, right from drivers to volunteers and sports specific volunteers to ball kids and many other operational staff at the stadium. We are grateful for the support and organisational cooperation by the local authorities and look forward to an immensely successful tournament.”