The Belgian Playbook

Belgium’s rise to No 1 is a result of concerted effort. Podium finishes remain elusive for India and coach Harendra Singh’s future is in doubt despite the team’s progress.

- Neeru Bhatia

For three weeks, Bhubaneswar was the centre of the hockey world. The sparkling Kalinga Stadium—venue of the 2018 Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup—saw fans turning up in good numbers for non-India matches, too. But, perhaps, the biggest takeaway from the event was the lesson the Odisha government gave the rest of India on how to host an international sporting spectacle. Security was unobtrusive, but, omnipresent. Gone were the innumerable check points, which made entry cumbersome. No questions were asked about why you are carrying a pen or a 05 coin. Most importantly, police personnel were welcoming. They were trained—by a firm which trains inflight attendants—to deal with spectators politely, yet, firmly.

“Whatever happened is basically the vision of our honourable Chief Minister Naveen Patnaikji,” said Vishal Kumar Dev, sports secretary, Odisha. “We were executing whatever his desire was. He wanted the tournament to be truly world class. From our side we did whatever we could. It was successful—that is the feedback we got from the FIH [International Hockey Federation], spectators and teams.” Dev told THE WEEK that the efficient security arrangements were a learning from the 2017 IAAF World Championships in London. “We had sent a team there,” he said. “We were very clear that everybody should go back with pleasant memories. We had said police has to be minimal, but policing effective.”