Rourkela, Dec 11 (UNI After the stupendous success of Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup in 2018 and the scale at which it was hosted, FIH had announced last year that the 2023 FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup will be hosted in Odisha, for a second consecutive time, at two venues, Bhubaneswar and
Rourkela.
After the Olympics, the Hockey World Cup is the most important tournament in hockey and there is already excitement galore amongst hockey lovers especially from Sundergarh and Rourkela region.
Minister for Sports and Youth Services, Odisha, Tusharkanti Behera, Chief Secretary, Odisha, Asit Kumar Tripathy, International Hockey Federation (FIH), President, Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra, senior officials from State Department of Sports and Youth Services (DSYS), Hockey India (HI) convened to review, assess and lay the road map for sports infrastructure development as per FIH standards and urban development involving large scale upgradation of Rourkela city.
According to Behera, “The FIH Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup India 2023 is expected to be even larger than 2018 and with matches to be hosted in two venues, it will be a challenge and an opportunity. World class infrastructure at both the venues will enable Odisha to once again deliver a successful and memorable tournament and leave behind a valuable and lasting legacy." We are aiming to complete all works by mid-2022, he added.
Shedding light on the preparation ahead of the event, FIH President, Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra shared, “The FIH World Cup, either for Men or for Women, is the flagship event of hockey’s world governing body. Therefore, it is essential that all operational matters are conducted in a state-of-the-art way, so that athletes and fans can enjoy a thrilling time! I’m convinced it will be a great venue for the FIH Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup India 2023!”
Hockey India President Gyanendro Ningombam said, "The work is being expedited with an aim to ensure the FIH Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup, India 2023 too is a mega success. We are sure hockey fans from around the globe will enjoy yet another memorable event in India. We are thankful to Odisha State Government for ensuring the infrastructure work does not get hampered despite these difficult times due to the pandemic.”
UNI NC 2006