Bhubaneswar: The FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 trophy 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, the trophy reached Biju Patnaik International Airport where it was received by Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey.
Tirkey then handed it over to Sports and Youth Services Minister Tusharkanti Behera. Later, the trophy was handed over to Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) before it travelled to different places of the state capital for the people to have a glimpse.
BMC Mayor Sulochana Das and Commissioner Vijay Amrit Kulange welcomed the trophy with much fanfare amidst presentation of dance, folk dance and drum beats by artistes. A large number of sports enthusiasts and fans gathered at the airport and lined up along the roads through which the trophy was taken.
The trophy was first taken to Biju Patnaik statue near the airport and kept there for the people to see for half an hour. Then it travelled in a bike rally and procession to Lingaraj temple in Old Town through Sishu Bhawan Square, Mausima Flyover and Ratha Road.
Dilip Tirkey said after a tour of the state capital the trophy will be taken across various districts in the state in an effort to spread and create enthusiasm among the youths for the sport.
Stating that 2018 Hockey World Cup was a grand success, he said this time also efforts are on to make it much bigger and greater.
The trophy was also taken to Esplanade Mall through Kalpana Square and Puri-Cuttack Road. From the mall, it was taken to SOA campus through Rasulgarh Square, Fire Station square on the NH, Patas Ban square, Kalinga Studio square and SUM Hospital square.
Thereafter, the trophy will be taken to KIIT University ground through Jaidev square, and KIIT square. The trophy will leave KIIT University ground to depart for Nayagarh.
The matches of Men’s Hockey World Cup-2023 will be played at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar and Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela from January 13 to 29.
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