Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela To Be Functional Soon, Says Sports Minister

Artist's impression of stadium in Rourkela

Bhubaneswar: The under-construction Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela of Odisha’s Sundargarh district would become functional soon, said Sports and Youth Services Minister Tusharkanti Behera.

Speaking to media persons in the city after a visit to the stadium site on Sunday, the minister said he had come to take stock of the progress of the work on the direction of chief minister Naveen Patnaik. The stadium would host Men’s Hockey World Cup in 2023 jointly with Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

“The construction works are going on in full swing and the turf of the practice field has already been laid,” he said.

The minister, who was accompanied by senior officials, reviewed the works of the stadium’s entrance gate, practice field, visitor’s gallery, rest rooms for players and officials, changing rooms, gymnasium and other facilities.

He directed the district administration to expedite development and beautification works underway in the Steel City for the event. He also visited the under-construction Birsa Munda Football Stadium.

Behera was accompanied by secretary, Sports and Youth Services R Vineel Krishna, Managing Director of IDCO Bhupendra Singh Poonia, Rourkela MLA Sarada Prasad Nayak and Sundargarh district Collector Gavali Parag Harshad during the visit.