Bhubaneswar: The Jamshedpur Football Club (JFC) today announced it will be playing its Hero Indian Super League (ISL) football match at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneshwar. Shri Vishal Kumar Dev, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Sports & Youth Services Department, Govt of Odisha, Shri Y B Khurania, Commissioner of Police, Bhubaneswar – Cuttack, Shri Arun Misra, Vice President, Project Gopalpur and MD, Tata Steel Special Economic Zone, made the announcement along with an update about infrastructure and facilities being readied at the stadium for the match on February 25, 2018 against Bengaluru FC.
“We are proud to bring the JFC home match to Bhubaneswar, to enable the people of the state to experience and be part of ISL, the football fever that has captured the Nation’s imagination”, said Shri Vishal Kumar Dev. Commenting on the developments, he further said, the Kalinga Stadium is being revamped and upgraded as per standards of ISL regulations. Player dressing rooms have been newly created. The match-playing and practice grounds have been developed. Additional bucket seats have been put in as well. Development is also underway for a Players & Match Officials Area (PMAO) a.k.a ‘Competition Area’ adhering to set standards.
Members of the media from Bhubaneswar as well as those from across the country and overseas are also expected to have a superior experience at the Media Room where pre and post match briefings will be held as well as a Media Center for ISL Accredited journalists. Photographers will get a dedicated area at the Field of Play (FOP) which will be adjacent to the ground.
On the preparation for the match Shri Y B Khurania said, “All preparations have been made in the stadium and its vicinity as per ISL standard, as far as security and entering spectators into the stadium are concerned. We are thankful to the sports lovers of the state in general and Bhubaneswar in particular for cooperating with the police in maintaining law and order during the recent sports events and would urge their cooperation in maintaining law and order for smoothly organizing this match”.
Speaking on the occasion Shri Arun Misra said, “Tata Group, and Tata Steel, have always had a very strong connect with the community and JFC will further strengthen the same. JFC is Tata Group and Tata Steel’s attempt to contribute to Indian football and to see Indian football make advances to the world stage”. He expressed hope that JFC would be well received and accepted by the people of Odisha and would get the full support of the people of Odisha.
In its inaugural season, JFC is ranked fourth in the ISL with 3 more matches remaining to end the league phase and with another victory Jamshedpur FC is expected to qualify for the semifinals.
Highlighting the team’s performance, Shri Mukul Choudhri said, “The team has been performing exceptionally in the second half of the season with 5 wins out of the last 6 games. Wellington Priori has been in sensational form after joining the team in the January transfer window. He has already scored twice and, in addition, has created multiple goal scoring opportunities. Subrata Paul and Tiri too have been in excellent form holding the best defensive record in the league. Subrata is currently the Golden Glove holder with 7 clean sheets.
In the forward line Trindade has scored 4 goals and Izu Azuka has netted 3 times. Now with an away victory Jamshedpur FC is expected to secure a semifinal berth in ISL 2017-2018”.
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