Puri: As part of its statewide tour, the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 trophy reached Odisha’s Puri town on Tuesday.
The trophy was accorded a rousing welcome as it reached the sea beach in the town. Senior officials of Puri district administration, led by additional collector Pradip Kumar Sahu, received the trophy that arrived in a decorated truck.
Various entertainment programmes were organised on the occasion. The trophy was brought to a podium in a procession which was accompanied by decorated horses and camels. Minister Samir Ranjan Das, MLA Tusarkanti Behera, people’s representatives, sportspersons, activists of voluntary organisations, students of schools and colleges participated in the event.
Following the warm reception, the trophy was taken to Singhadwar (Lions Gate) of Jagannath temple in the pilgrim town in a procession for the people to have a glimpse of it. The servitors of the temple performed puja for successful completion of the tournament amid chanting of Vedic hymns and offered a piece of sacred cloth to the trophy.
The trophy was kept on display near Aruna Stambha at the Lions Gate for some time and then carried to Konark. Later, the trophy left for another district from Konark.
International sand artist Manas Kumar Sahoo created a sand sculptor of the trophy on the beach to mark the occasion. Manas made the sand art of 15 feet width in 8 hours.
The trophy had arrived in Odisha capital on Sunday to a rousing welcome by sports enthusiasts, fans and lovers of the game. After travelling 13 states and one Union territory, it reached Biju Patnaik International Airport where it was received by Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey.
