FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 Trophy Completes Nationwide Tour

The FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 trophy arrived in Bhubaneswar on Sunday, following an 11-day trip throughout 13 states, and also the one Union Territory.

The hockey men’s World Cup will begin in Odisha, the capital of the state on the 13th of January. Odisha hosts the tournament for the second time.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik tweeted: “It is indeed a moment of pride for Odisha in hosting the men’s hockey World Cup for the consecutive time. We should all be part of the state-wide trophy trip being planned for every district in Odisha to celebrate the return of hockey to us.”

In accepting the trophy, Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey is from the Sundargarh district, known as the”cradle of the sport” and said:

“The trophy has finally arrived at Bhubaneswar. In the coming days, the trophy will be distributed across different districts within this state.”

He added: “Our effort is to bring enthusiasm to the young people in the sport. This year’s 2018 Hockey World Cup was an immense event in Odisha. In this year’s edition, efforts are being put into making the tournament a huge success.”

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Concerning the looming danger of Covid-19, Tirkey declared: “We are aware of Covid-19’s threat. However, as of right now there is no guidance created. The guidelines will be followed in accordance with the Centre’s as well as the Odisha government’s guidelines for the World Cup.”

As part on behalf of the Odisha administration, Odisha Minister of Youth and Sports Tusharkanti Behera was in attendance in the Biju Patnaik Airport with Tirkey to accept the trophy.

The trophy was later presented on behalf of officials from the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) which is charged with maintaining the city’s cleanliness and in good shape for the upcoming ceremony.

The BMC received the Trophy with great fanfare while folk dancers danced to the beat of Dhols. This is the customary Odia method to welcome guests.

“We are all excited,” Mayor Sulochana Das. The trophy was later transported to the 11th century Lingaraj Temple. Many people and servants came to celebrate the award.

The guests also chanted in the Vedic mantra to greet the trophy. This World Cup trophy will tour through various districts of the state before heading into Sundargarh district, which is known as the “cradle for Indian Hockey’.

It will be played at 17 blocks in the Sundargarh district. It will then end up in the city of steel Rourkela before returning to Bhubaneswar. Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar where the finals will take place on the 29th of January, 2023.