“Kalinga Stadium is lucky for us”: Pakistan team arrives in Odisha capital for Hockey WC

Bhubaneswar: The Pakistan hockey team arrived here today for the upcoming Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup 2018 to be held at Kalinga Stadium from November 28 to December 16. The Pakistan skipper has termed the venue is “lucky” for them.

The team after its arrival at the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) this evening was escorted to a hotel here amid tight security cover by police.

“We have come here before and we have always enjoyed playing at this venue. It is a lucky ground for us and we are very excited to be back,” said skipper Muhammad Rizwan Senior at the airport.

Pakistan – who are ranked 13th on FIH rankings are placed on Poll D alongside Netherlands, Germany, and Malaysia – will kick off their campaign on December 1 against Germany.

The Commissionerate Police has made special security arrangements for Pakistani players following Shiv Sena threats.

Earlier in the day, Australia and England teams reached Bhubaneswar for mega sporting event.

The Argentinean and South African teams had arrived on Wednesday.

A total of sixteen nations will participate in the tournament wherein each team will play three matches during the league stage over the span of twelve days before four cross-over matches take place on December 10 and 11.