Row Over ‘Biggest’ Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium; Check What Odisha Sports Minister Has To Say

Bhubaneswar: Amid the row over Odisha’s claim that Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, which was inaugurated with much fanfare, Sports Minister Tusharkanti Behera on Friday clarified that International Hockey Federation (FIH) had certified the stadium as the biggest in terms of seating capacity.

“Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela is the world’s biggest. We are not saying this. It has been certified by FIH that the stadium is the biggest in terms of seating capacity,” he said.

He further said that the inauguration of the stadium has drawn the world’s attention. “Odisha is now winning accolades for its sports infrastructure and its capability to host international sports events. The Hockey World Cup, which Odisha is hosting for the second consecutive time, will be a successful event and it is a matter of pride for the state,” he added.

A fact check by Odisha Bytes on Thursday revealed that the stadium, nestled in one of India’s traditional hockey nursery — the Sundergarh district, is not even the biggest in India in seating capacity. It is in fact the fourth-largest stadium in the world and the second in India. The official website of the Olympics Games has also mentioned Birsa Munda Stadium as one of the largest in India.

World’s biggest hockey stadiums (by capacity):

1. National Hockey Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan (capacity 45,000)

2. Chandigarh Hockey Stadium, Chandigarh, India (30,000)

3. Weingart Stadium (multipurpose), Los Angeles, USA (22,355)

4. Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium, Rourkela, India (20,000)

Built at an estimated cost of Rs 261 crore in a record 15 months’ time, the 20,000-seater stadium has, however, overtaken Odisha’s own Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, which can seat 15,000 spectators. Both the venues would host the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup from January 13 to 29.

Amid the row, some suggested that the stadium is the ‘biggest’ in terms of area, which includes a one-of-its-kind World Cup Village with 225 rooms to house the 400 players and officials for their matches during the World Cup, a second astroturf for practice and other amenities. Of the total 44 matches, 20 will be played in Rourkela.