By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: Even though, Germany and Australia were playing the semi-final of the Men’s World Cup -2023 semi-final here at Kalinga Stadium, on Friday but; poor response to the match was evident from these photos taken during the match.
Despite repeated claims by officials, that tickets and passes were distributed and sold, but scenes at Kalinga Stadium was speaking otherwise during the semi-final match, which was won by Germany and reached the final slated for January 29.
RTI activists alleged that the State Government spent around Rs 1100 Crore for the World Cup but response was very poor to it. Government spent crores for advertisement and promotion, while Chief Ministers of all States were invited but only a Chief Minister, a few State Sports Ministers paid a visit to Odisha , others skipped the invitation of Chief Minister Patnaik.
Sources said, Argentine-turned-German Gonzalo Peillat struck a second-half hat-trick and Niklas Wellen scored a last-minute goal as Germany fought back from a two-goal deficit to stun World No. 1 Australia 4-3 and reach the final of the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup, here on Friday.
