Wary organisers train F&B staff, chefs to keep stomach bug away

Almost a year back, the hospitality sector here had come under scrutiny during the Hockey World League Final when players from many participating countries fell ill due to stomach bugs.

That resulted in teams like Germany, Netherlands and England among others, fielding depleted sides for some matches as their players were unwell.

With their bench strength weakened due to illness, the title eventually went to wold champions Australia with Olympic gold medallists Argentina and hosts India taking silver and bronze.

The Odisha government, however, does not want to take any chances this time around and have taken pre-emptive measures to make sure there is no repeat of that episode during the 16-team World Cup, due to be held at the Kalinga Stadium from November 28 to December 16.

“This time what we have done is conducted workshops with all the chefs and food and beverages staff,” said Vishal Dev, commissioner-cum-secretary, Odisha’s sports and youth services department. “People from Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and our own team from the commissioner of food safety conducted these orientation workshops about hygiene and sanitation etc in association with hotel management institutes and others.”

BHUBANESWAR:

TICKETS SOLD OUT

Dev said that tickets for the event are sold out. “The response has been overwhelming; by and large the tickets have all been sold out. India matches were sold out pretty early. For other games, there are very few tickets left,” he said. The organisers will also set up first aid centres in the Kalinga Stadium for the spectators.