Bhubaneswar: The Indian and South African cricket teams along with the officials and support staffs will arrive in the city here on Saturday afternoon for the second T-20 match of the ongoing Paytm Freedom Series to be played at Barabati stadium in Cuttack on Monday.
According to sources, the players will arrive at Biju Patnaik International airport from Dharamsala in a special flight at 5 pm today. After reaching airport, they will be taken to Hotel Mayfair Lagoon where they would be accorded traditional welcome by the hotel staff.
Informing the media, Bhubaneswar DCP Satyabrata Bhoi said special security measures have been put in place for the players.
“We have stepped up additional security at the airport as we expect a large gathering of crowd. The security personnel will escort the players from the airport to the hotel. We have deployed 15 platoons of police comprising Armed Police Force (APR), Odisha State Armed Police (OSAP) and Special Operation Group (SOG) who would remain in charge of bringing both the teams from the airport to the hotel in Bhubaneswar and escort them during their net practice and match at Barabati stadium in Cuttack”, the DCP said.
He further said 10 platoons of police have been deployed at Mayfair Hotel to provide 24-hour security to the players.
“These forces would be monitored by an additional DCP, three ACPs and 30 officers,” he added.
Executive director of the hotel Soubhagya Mohapatra said the hotel staff and security have been given strict instruction not allow unauthorised entry of any person in the gymnasium, spa and jogging track areas inside the hotel during the stay of the players,” he added.
“We have booked 92 special rooms for the players and staffs. We have renovated the hotel to provide a better living experience to the players, he informed.
Talking about the preparation of food for the visiting teams, Mohapatra said usually these players take normal food.
“Usually they prefer food having less oil and spice. We have specifically told our chefs to provide food the players of their choice. We generally follow their diet chart and provide them the food accordingly”, he pointed out.
The hotel authorities have made arrangements for all time dining at multi-cuisine restaurant Tea-pot and oriental restaurant Lemon Grass for the players and staffs during their four-day stay.