Hockey WC: Inaugural function to take part in two parts

The inaugural function of the 2018 Men's Hockey World Cup, which was earlier scheduled for November 27 at the Kalinga Stadium, will now be held in two parts.

The inaugural ceremony will take place on November 27 in Bhubaneswar's Kalinga Stadium while the second part, that is the world cup celebration, will be in Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on November 28.

The decision was taken by the organising board due to limited space and high public demand.

Tickets for both the events will be available online from November 20.

On Sunday, Hockey India had released the much-awaited teaser of the official song of the 2018 Men's Hockey World Cup featuring music composer AR Rahman and Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan.

Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik, while praising the teaser, thanked Rahman and SRK for the creation.

"The promo of the #HWC2018 anthem #JayHindIndia has caught the imagination of all sports lovers and special thanks to @iamsrk who is coming to #Odisha to immortalise the #OdishaWorldCupAnthem created by @arrahman for all hockey fans. Thank you," Patnaik tweeted.

Not wasting much time the Bollywood actor responded to the CM by thanking him for the "graciousness."

"Thank u sir for ur graciousness. Hockey ke liye yeh toh hum sab ka farz hai. Really excited to be in Odisha," he wrote.

The music composer also responded to Patnaik's tweet saying, "Honoured and Excited ..looking forward ????!"

The 2018 Men's Hockey World Cup is slated to be held from November 28 to December 16 in Odisha.