Odisha CM Patnaik inaugurates country's biggest hockey stadium in Rourkela

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, on Thursday, inaugurated the newly-built Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium, the world's largest hockey stadium at Rourkela, the steel city of Odisha in Sundargarh district. Built at a cost of Rs. 261 crore, the stadium, named after tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda, has been constructed within a record period of 15 months.

The 15th edition of FIH Men's Hockey World Cup will be played here and at Kalinga Stadium of Bhubaneswar in Odisha from January 13.

The CM announced that if the Indian team wins the World Cup, each hockey player will be given Rs 1 crore. He said this will be Odisha's biggest gift to the country. The state has been the sponsor for Indian hockey for ten years.

He said the inauguration of the stadium has added a golden chapter in the world's sports history. Dedicating the modern stadium equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, the chief minister invited everyone to attend the matches.

The CM also inaugurated the World Cup village at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium Complex. This world cup village has been developed within nine months and has 225 rooms with all amenities befitting the stature of Hockey World Cup.

Patnaik interacted with team India who are at the world cup village. He wished them very best and hoped they emerge as champions.

Calling the newly-inaugurated stadium the best gift that Odisha can give to the nation, he said this would help India establish itself as a major power in the field of hockey.

He said the world's largest stadium in Sundargarh will continue to provide opportunities for major teams in the country to boost their performances. It will reflect the passion and love of Indians for hockey, he added.

The CM also inaugurated the opening match between India A and B team on the occasion.