India, SA teams arrive in Odisha for Barabati T 20

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Oct 4:

The Indian and South African cricket teams, along with the officials and support staff, arrived in Odisha capital from Dharamshala on a chartered flight on Saturday evening for the second T-20 match scheduled to be played at Barabati stadium in Cuttack on Monday.

They were given a traditional welcome and were taken to Hotel Mayfair Lagoon of Bhubaneswar upon arrival. Special security measures have been taken for the players both in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.

“Ten platoons of police have been deployed at Hotel Mayfair Lagoon to provide 24-hour security to the players. Overall, we have deployed 15 platoons of police comprising Armed Police Force (APR), Odisha State Armed Police (OSAP) and Special Operation Group (SOG). Tthey have been tasked with bringing both the teams and escorting them during their net practice and match at Barabati stadium in Cuttack,” said Bhubaneswar DCP Satyabrata Bhoi.

These forces would be supervised by officers of the rank of one additional DCP, three ACPs and 30 other officers.

“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. The hotel staff and security personnel have been given strict instructions not to allow unauthorised entry of any person in the gymnasium, spa and jogging track areas inside the hotel during the stay of the players,” said Executive Director of the hotel Soubhagya Mohapatra.

“Usually they prefer food having less oil and spice. We have specifically told our chefs to provide players food of their choice. We generally follow their diet chart and provide them the food accordingly,” he added speaking about the food for the visiting teams.

Notably, 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.