A high-level delegation of International Hockey Federation (FIH), including Acting President Seif Ahmed and Chief Executive Officer, Thierry Weil and a delegation of Hockey India (HI), including Committee of Administrators, Dr SY Quraishi and Zafar Iqbal today visited the Rourkela-based Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium that will be co-hosting the FIH Men World Cup 2023.

According to information shared by the Department of Sports & Youth Services (DSYS), Govt of Odisha, the delegates of both FIH and HI expressed their satisfaction with the progress of work for the hosting of the World Cup in two cities of Odisha _ Bhubaneswar and Rourkela.

The delegation was accompanied by IDCO Chairman Hemant Sharma, DSYS Secretary R Vineel Krishna, IDCO Managing Director Bhupendar Poonia and many senior State Government officials.

During the visit to the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium, the hockey practice centre, within the stadium complex, was inaugurated by the dignitaries. The practice centre has a new FIH certified turf, flood lights with seating capacity for 200 spectators.

It also features changing rooms, recovery area, fitness centre and allied facilities for players. According to DSYS release, the main stadium work is going on in full swing and will be completed as per schedule.

The delegates of both the FIH and HI also shoured praise on the contribution of Odisha Government, headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, for the promotion of hockey and the successive hosting of World Cup.

According to Hockey India Committee of Administrators Member Zafar Iqbal, India is hosting the Hockey Men World Cup for the fourth time and no other country has hosted this many times.

Sports Secretary Vineel Krishna presented the status of the ongoing stadium projects as well as those related to connectivity, accommodation, upgradation and beautification projects on the occasion.
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PHOTO: Top-level delegates of World Hockey Federation, Hockey India and Odisha State Government pose at the inauguration ceremony of the practice centre at the Rourkela-based Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium on 7 Sept 2022.