Temple city Bhubaneswar will stage the FIH Hockey Mens Junior World Cup at the iconic Kalinga Stadium from 24 November to 5 December 2021. This was announced by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in a function at Lokseva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar today.

The Chief Minister also launched the logo of the Junior World Cup event and unveiled the trophy. International Hockey Federation (FIH) President Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra, Odisha Hockey Promotion Council Chairman Dillip Tirkey, State Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, Secretary to CM (5-T) VK Pandian and State Sports Secretary Vineel Krishna were present on the occasion.

This will be the 12th edition of the Junior (Under-21) Mens World Cup Tournament, which would feature 16 countries – India, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, South Africa, Egypt, Belgium, England, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, USA, Canada, Chile and Argentina. Australia and New Zealand have pulled out of the tournament.

The previous edition of the Junior Men World Cup was held in 2016 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, where India emerged champions, defeating Belgium 2–1 in the final. The Odisha CM also wished the Indian Team a scintillating performance for the upcoming World Cup. “As the reigning champions, I am suresure that our team will take advantage of the home ground and emerge victorious again,” he observed.

The Chief Minister said that the State is ready to host such a big event for the sake of prestige of the country. “Recently, Hockey India has approached us to support them for the Mens Junior World Cup which is to be held in two months time. It is a short notice for making the arrangements for such an event, especially during the pandemic period. Since the prestige of the nation is at stake, we have readily agreed to support,” he elaborated
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOTO: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and FIH president Narinder Dhruv Batra at the trophy unveiling ceremony of the Junior Men Hockey World Cup in Bhubaneswar on 23 September 2021.