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Sports

Odisha to host men's hockey World Cup in 2023

Bhubaneswar, Nov 27


Odisha is going to host the men's hockey World Cup again in 2023, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said on Wednesday.

The Chief Minister said the matches will be played both in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela. The Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar had hosted the men's hockey World Cup in 2018.

"This has once again proved that Odisha has truly become the global centre of world hockey. Hockey fans will witness the finest display of hockey in the winter of 2023 both in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela," said a statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).

It may be mentioned here that three countries were in the race to host the World Cup -- Malaysia, Belgium and India. After a series of bidding rounds, India won the bid to host the World Cup.

Hockey India has selected Odisha as the venue and partnered Odisha government to host big event in 2023.

The Panposh hostel in Rourkela is the nerve centre of hockey in the country and as a tribute to the contribution of Sundergarh to Indian hockey, the Chief Minister proposed to host this prestigious event in Rourkela.

"This will put Rourkela and Sundergarh in the global map of hockey, and help support the recognition and development of this area," said the statement.

The Chief Minister has laid the foundation stone for 17 astro-turf hockey stadia in Sundergarh, which will be completed in a year's time.

Patnaik has also laid the foundation stone for a hockey high-performance centre building and launched a grassroots development programme in Sundergarh district by Hockey India.