As the FIH World Cup progresses, Olive Ridley turtles — the state’s flagship marine species — are thronging Odisha’s coast for their mass nesting season. And the tournament mascot Olly is doing its bit for the conservation of the endangered species.

Olly, first unveiled during the Asian Athletics Championships mascot in Odisha in 2017, was later declared as the mascot for all sports events in the state. This World Cup, five persons put on the 4-5kg Olly suit to send a strong message of conservation at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela’s Birsa Munda Stadium. Posters and billboards have also been installed around the state to spread the word.

“The hockey World Cup in Odisha has given the state the right sort of atmosphere to project the life story of the endangered turtle species and how they are travelling thousands of miles for nesting. They are our guests and we need to protect them,” Sridhara Panda, who dresses up as Olly to entertain spectators during matches, said. “The Olive Ridley has been aptly chosen as the mascot for the men’s hockey World Cup. Everyone is eager to shake hands with me, I feel proud.”

The Ollys are keeping the crowd entertained during the matches. The government has also set up a designated space, the Olly Land, at the stadiums for fun, fantasy and festivities.

At Kalinga Stadium, spectators are encouraged to take selfies with Olly on the half-an-acre land. “The giant Konark wheels, the lighting arrangements are a major draw,” said Aliva Mohanty, a professor at Ramadevi Women’s University in Bhubaneswar. “The way the Olly Land has been set up to spread the message about the Olive Ridley turtles is superb.”

“It’s a great opportunity for us to be Olly and explain to people how the turtles travel thousands of kilometres from the Indian Ocean and even the Pacific Ocean to reach our shores to lay eggs. Even the foreign players and cheerleaders who dance with us ask us about the Olive Ridley turtles,” said Satya Naryan Srichandan, another who dons the Olly suit.

But it’s hardly easy to be Olly. “Wearing the suit, which weighs 4-5kg for nearly five hours is not an easy job,” said Ramesh, another of the five mascots.

While the Ollys are keeping everyone in a good mood during the hockey matches, a large number of Olive Ridleys have congregated at the Gahirmatha coast in Kendrapara district and are slowly entering the landmass. “Last year 5.1 lakh turtles came to Gahirmatha to lay eggs and 5.51 lakh came to Rushikulya in Ganjam for nesting. We hope more turn up this time,” said a senior government official.