Team India in Bhubaneswar for world league; hockey fever grips city

Bhubaneswar: The 18-member Indian hockey team for Odisha Men's Hockey World League Final 2017 arrived in Bhubaneswar today. The team led by Manpreet Singh got a rousing welcome at the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar.

The team which also includes three players from the state, Birendra Lakra, Amit Rohidas and Dipsan Tirkey were at a camp at SAI Centre, Bengaluru. The team was taken to a star private hotel in the city under tight security cover.

Bhubaneswar is hosting a global hockey tournament for the second time after Men's Champions Trophy 2014 where India finished fourth. The venue for the tournament is decked up and ready to welcome the players for the prestigious tourney.

Flags of participating teams are installed in front of the venue and the hotels in the city are also prepared to host the players.

Eight top hockey teams divided into two pools are going to participate in the championship. Pool A includes Argentina, Belgium, Netherlands and Spain while host India along with defending champion Australia, England and Germany are in pool B.

The Sjoerd Marijne-coached Indian side will be meeting defending champions Australia in their first game on the opening day on December 1.

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