HWC: Odisha govt to host events in slum and non-slums areas

BHUBANESWAR, Odisha: The Government of Odisha is planning to host a series of events in urban slums and non-slum areas during the Hockey World Cup (HWC) to inculcate sports culture among the residents.

A special gram sabha will be organised in Panchayats only on the inaugural day of the HWC, which is January 11. While in the urban local bodies (ULBs), these events will be organised on the opening ceremony of world cup, closing ceremony on January 29, and other days when the Indian team will be taking the turf.

As per the plan, viewing arrangements will be made in each slum to allow people to watch matches. Apart from that, events will be organised in all four municipalities, two NACs (Notified Area Council) and all the wards of the municipal corporations in cases of non-slums areas. Mission Shakti Gruha, Parichaya centres, public buildings and community centres would be the preferred venue for organising these events.

A maximum of 100 people could participate in programmes organised in slum areas, and a maximum of 250 people could participate in events held in non-slum areas. In these events, participants will be sensitised about health, hygiene, cleanliness, schemes run by the governments and other key urban initiatives. Mission Shakti Groups and federations will help the government in organising these events, and a fund of ₹10,000 per programme, has also been approved.

G Mathi Vathanan, Principal Secretary, Department of Housing and Urban Development, urged all the collectors, commissioners and other executive officers to organise events in all the slums and non-slums areas. Thus, allowing the youth and other residents in ULBs to become a part of this international event. He added, “Odisha is a proud host of World Cup hockey for the second time. This is a great opportunity to inspire the urban youth to inculcate a sense of sportsmanship and help in creating sports culture which will promote sports talents in the urban areas.”

The Department of Women and Child Development is also planning to beautify childcare institutions with replicas of mascot Olly and other cut-outs of the hockey legends along with proper lighting.

All the matches, including the opening ceremony, will be telecast in all child care institutions (CCIs), observation homes, women homes and working women hostels. CCIs and women homes will be organising several competitions, including essay writing, debate, drawing, painting and quizzes highlighting the role the state has played in the promotion of Hockey in the country.