LAGATAR24 NETWORK
Ranchi, Jan 6: Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium (BMHS), the world’s largest hockey stadium at Rourkela, was inaugurated by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday ahead of the men’s FIH Hockey World Cup which begins on January 13.
Notably, the stadium is constructed at a cost of over Rs 260 crore in 15 months and is capable of hosting over 20,000 people.
Moreover, around 20 of the 44 matches will be played in the new stadium and the remaining 24 matches, including the final, will be played at the Kalinga stadium in Bhubaneswar.
The World Cup village, built on the stadium campus for about Rs 85 crore, was also dedicated by the CM. The complex was built in a record-breaking nine months and features all the amenities, including a practice field, fitness centre, hydrotherapy pool, dressing and changing rooms and a 225-room residential complex with five-star amenities that can accommodate 400 players.
The world cup teams taking part are anticipated to receive a complete environment from the magnificent BMHS facility. Hockey India has partnered with Taj Group to deliver exemplary service and hospitality that honours the traditions of Odisha.
The Odisha Chief Minister wished the men’s hockey team success for the competition and pledged a reward of Rs 1 crore for each player if they win the World Cup. The players commended the state of Odisha and congratulated the chief minister for creating an all-encompassing hockey ecosystem.
The chief minister went to the DAV pond location and officially broke ground on 359 projects totaling Rs 1,109 crore, including numerous smart city initiatives. Additionally, he launched the “Mo Bus” (my bus) services in the steel city, which offer hassle-free transportation, particularly during the hockey world cup matches.
Later, Naveen opened a new government hospital and medical school in Sundargarh that had cost Rs 417.77 crore to build thanks to NTCP’s CSR contribution. He spoke with the initial group of medical students.
Thousands of people and hockey supporters flocked to the BHMS to greet the CM and hockey players from all over the tribally dominant Sundargarh district.
Numerous notable individuals attended, including Sports Minister Tusharkanit Behera, 5T Secretary V Karthikeyan Pandian, Sports Secretary R Vineel Krishna, Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey, IDCO Managing Director Bhupendra Singh Poonia, and Hockey India Secretary General Bholanath Singh.
