Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium-Odisha’s greatest gift to nation: Naveen

Priya Ranjan Swain Published On : Jan 5, 2023 at 5:43 PM

Rourkela: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today inaugurated Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium, built at an expenditure of Rs 261 crore excluding taxes on the premises of Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT) here, ahead of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup-2023, scheduled to be held in Odisha from January 13 to 29.

The inauguration of Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium has added a golden chapter to the sports history of the world, said the Chief Minister.

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“Birsa Munda Stadium is the greatest gift to the nation from Odisha. This stadium will be instrumental in making India the power house of hockey in the world. It will also inspire many budding players of the country and the world,” he added.

Altogether 20 matches of the men’s hockey world cup would be played at Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium, touted as the largest hockey stadium in the world while the remaining 24 matches, including the final, will be held at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, sources said.

Built on 15 acres of land, Birsa Munda Stadium can accommodate 20,000 spectators, sources added.

The construction work of Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium Complex spread over 60,000 square metres was completed in record 15 months, said an official.

The Chief Minister also inaugurated World Cup Village at the stadium.

The World Cup Village has been developed within record nine months and flaunts 225 rooms with all amenities befitting the stature of the Men’s Hockey World Cup. The World Cup Village will house the teams and officials during the upcoming Hockey World Cup.

Sports and Youth Services Minister Tusharkanti Behera, Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey, 5T Secretary VK Pandian, Sports department Secretary R. Vineel Krishna, IDCO MD Bhupendra Singh Poonia, Hockey India Secretary General Bholanath Singh, and senior officials of the state government and Hockey India were present during the inaugural ceremony.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister flagged off the ‘Mo Bus’ service in Rourkela. A fleet of 25 city buses were rolled out on the occasion.

The Chief Minister also inaugurated Sundargarh Government Medical College, built at an expenditure of Rs 417.77 crore, during his visit to the Steel City.