Odisha to launch Hockey World Cup build-up campaign

Ahead of the 2018 Mens Hockey World Cup Tournament in the state, Odisha government has decided to launch a build-up campaign in 17 cities from August 29, an official said today.

"The campaign will be organised in Rourkela, Mumbai, New Delhi, Bhubaneswar and other important cities and hockey playing states. A number of internationally-acclaimed sports celebrities will take part in promotion of the mega event," Odisha Sports secretary Vishal Dev told reporters here.

Earlier, a nation-wide publicity campaign, 'Heartbeats for Hockey', was launched to showcase Bhubaneswar as a sporting venue and Odisha as a tourist destination.

Advertisements were put up on buses in London with the tagline of 'Odisha by Morning, Hockey by Evening'.

Odisha is organising the the Men's Hockey World Cup tournament for the first time. The tournament will begin on November 28 and will continue till December 16 at the Kalinga stadium here.

Participating in a security related meeting for the mega event, Police Commissioner Satyajit Mohanty said that all efforts has been put in place for conduct of the vent smoothly.

"As many as 70-80 platoons of police will be deployed during the event and each team will have a personal security officer. The security arrangements will be made as per protocol," Mohanty said.

More than 30, 000 foreign tourists including players are expected to visit the Odisha capital during World Cup, an official said.