Street fest to mark arrival of WC trophy in city today

Bhubaneswar: The city will get into a celebratory mood amid Christmas on Sunday as the activation programme of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) for the Men’s Hockey World Cup kicks off.
Several activities will will be organised at community level, slums, schools and colleges, private and government institutions, corporate houses, NGOs and for residents of apartments and societies.
On Sunday, Patha Utsav or street festival starts at 6.30 am. The WC trophy will also arrive in the city to start its journey across 30 districts.
“We have made all efforts to show the world our best hospitality,” said Balwant Singh, vice-chairman, Bhubaneswar Development Authority.
On Sunday, the stretch from Master Canteen to Ram Mandir will come alive with morning walkers, cyclists and other enthusiasts hitting the streets. With less than a month to go for the hockey WC, everybody starting from resident welfare associations (RWA) to slum development associations (SDA) have planned activities in view of the tournament.
“We have conducted a series of sensitisation programmes to enliven the cityscapes and localities. Based on that, people of slums, including children, will decorate their homes, maintain sanitation and create a sporting ambience. Schoolchildren from slums are also participating in different activities and contests related to hockey,” said BMC commissioner Vijay Kulange.
On Sunday, after the Patha Utsav ends at 9.30 am, the trophy will arrive here at 11.30 am and leave for its statewide tour at 4.30 pm.