BHUBANESWAR: A grand celebration event will be held in Cuttack ahead of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023, which will be held in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela from January 13 to January 29.
R Vineel Krishna, the Secretary of Sports and Youth Services in the Odisha government told ANI, “We are having a grand celebration event at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on January 11. Taking this opportunity, we are inviting also all Hockey experts, former Hockey players, state & national association members as well for a National Hockey Conclave in Konark, which will be a brainstorming session on how to take forward the momentum that the sport currently has.”
He revealed that preparations for the tournament are almost done and finishing touches are being given. He also informed how keen Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is on involving the community, especially the students, in the tournament.
“This has been planned in a much more engaging manner this time, in terms of involving everybody across the state and country. CM sent reps from the cabinet to different CMs and invited them personally. He also wants to involve students. A lot of competitions are being held for students, a trophy tour was done. Hosting the tournament in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela is challenging but everything is in place. Over the next few weeks, cultural, entertainment and sports events will be held. It is going to be a very memorable World Cup,” he added.
Hockey India president Dilip Trikey also said that all preparations have been done in collaboration with the state government.
“For this World Cup, Hockey India in collaboration with Odisha Government has done all the preparations. This time we have Rourkela as a new venue which is the world’s largest stadium having a seating capacity of 20,000,” said Tirkey to ANI.
“Teams have reached to participate in the tournament. Practice sessions have started. All the teams will play at both the venue, Bhubaneswar and Rourkela so chartered flights have been arranged for their transportation during the tournament. The preparation has been really great,” said Dilip Tirkey, President, Hockey India.
Naveen gifts Birsa Munda stadium to hockey
In a related development, Patnaik last Thursday inaugurated the world’s largest dedicated hockey stadium at Rourkela ahead of the men’s FIH Hockey World Cup. Built at a cost of over Rs 260 crore in a record 15 months, the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium (BMHS) is laced with world-class infrastructure and facilities. It has a capacity of hosting over 20,000 spectators.
The stadium will host 20 of the 44 matches of the quadrennial tournament. The other matches will be played at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. The chief minister said that it is the most valued gift of Odisha to the nation. Stating that it is a glory for Odisha, he said that the stadium will be the main centre of international hockey and continue to give opportunities to players from across the world to showcase their talent.
The chief minister also dedicated the World Cup village developed at a cost of around Rs 85 crore on the stadium campus. The complex has all amenities, including a practice pitch, fitness centre, hydrotherapy pool, dressing and changing room and a 225-room residential complex, developed in a record nine months, with five-star facilities capable of accommodating 400 players.
The BMHS complex is expected to offer a holistic environment to the participating world cup teams. Taj Group has been roped in by Hockey India to offer hospitality service that reflects the culture of Odisha.
Patnaik said that the efforts of the state government to create a hockey ecosystem will inspire the younger generation to take up the sport. The stadium is the reflection of the state government’s intention to excel in every field, and would add to Odisha’s image in the field of sports infrastructure.
