The excitement is palpable as the widely anticipated FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 is set to kick off tomorrow. Still reeling from the riveting performances at the celebratory spectacle in Cuttack, last night, fans from all around the globe and India are eager to witness some high-octane hockey action.
The atmosphere in the host cities of Bhubaneswar and Rourkela is electric, abuzz with activity and brimming in spirit as teams finalize their preparations for the tournament.
The Kalinga Stadium, housed in the Kalinga Sports Complex in Bhubaneswar, boasts world class facilities, complete with a High-Performance Hockey Centre. The stadium will host 24 of the 44 matches, including the finals. In Rourkela, The Birsa Munda Stadium is a testament to the efforts of Hockey India and the Odisha Government. The stadium was built in a record time of 15 months. The total capacity of the stadium is 20,000 making it the largest all seater Hockey stadium in the world. The Stadium also features a “World Cup Village”, complete with over 225 rooms and star facilities serviced by Taj.
The tournament promises to be a sensory treat for fans as the Government of Odisha and Hockey India have placed close attention to curate an exceptional and comprehensive experience for fan engagement. The walls of both cities have been adorned with stunning murals and nestled across the venues are Hockey inspired sculptures that encapsulate the robust culture of Hockey in Odisha. There are several fan parks that have been commissioned across both cities.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik visited one of the key initiatives titled ‘Olly’s Land’, which is named after Olly the turtle, the charming mascot of Odisha Sports. He was greeted by a sea of people who were overjoyed to see their visionary leader. Olly’s Land is a festive carnival enveloped in installations of art, spread across various locations. The stunning display of lights at Olly’s land are not only for aesthetic value but they are an ode to the rich culture of Odisha. They feature the Sambar Deer, the Rath Wheel (an iconic symbol of the sacred Konark Temple), the coveted world cup trophy and of course a hockey stick. Large LED screens alternate between showcasing historical footage of Indian Hockey and fun facts about this year’s Olly’s land complete with games, music, photo booths and delicious food, sure to please all visitors.
Vineel Krisha, Secretary Sports Odisha said, “We want everyone to have a memorable experience. We have lined up a number of cultural and entertainment activities. We have tried to plan something for people across all ages and we want it to be an enjoyable and wholesome experience.”
With the world’s top teams all set to battle it out on the field. Fans are bound to have an unforgettable experience on and off the pitch. On Friday’s action at the Kalinga Stadium will feature Argentina vs South Africa and Australia vs France while the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium will host England vs Wales and the high stakes encounter between India and Spain.
Source: Hockey India
Report- Pratyusha Mukherjee
