Speaking on the hosting of the Men's Hockey World Cup next month, the Chief Secretary said that for the first time in the history of hockey the world cup will be played at two venues i.e. Bhubaneswar and Rourkela.
In the lead up to the prestigious FIH Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar - Rourkela which begins on 13th January 2023, the coveted trophy will travel across 13 states and one Union Territory before returning to Odisha on 25 December.
Close to half a century ago, the Indian Men's Hockey Team were crowned champions when they won the 1975 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur under the able leadership of Ajit Pal Singh
The Organizing Committee expressed satisfaction over the progress of the works. All the officials present were requested to put in their best efforts and ensure that the Hockey World Cup is a grand success.
The tour will officially kick off from December 5 with Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik handing over the trophy to Hockey India President Dr Dilip Tirkey in Bhubaneswar
Considered to be one of the biggest driving forces in the Indian Men's Hockey Team during his playing days, Sardar Singh played his first ever Senior Men's World Cup on home turf in 2010, in New Delhi
Akashdeep Singh scored a hat-trick (9', 26', and 58') and captain Harmanpreet Singh scored a goal (30') to tie the score at 4-4, but Blake Govers' late penalty corner won the match for the Aussie team.
The prestigious event will see 16 top teams vie for the coveted trophy and matches will be held simultaneously at the iconic Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar and the newly-built state-of-the-art Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela.