With 100 days to go until the 2023 men’s World Cup, Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey declared that “all the preparations for the tournament are on track” as the nation gets set to host successive showpiece tournaments.
The Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar and the brand-new Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela will host matches 350km apart from mid January as Belgium defend their title.
While the 20,000 new stadium is slated to be on track, the airport has yet to be opened for operational flights while hotels seem to be at a premium when The Hockey Paper road-tested some bookings. The FIH has opened ticked
Organisers said that ticket sales “will start shortly” while fans are encouraged to pre-register their interest here.
The opening day of action will see matches being played in both Bhubaneswar and Rourkela, as 2016 Olympic champions Argentina take on reigning African Champions South Africa in the opening encounter, followed by more Pool A action between World No. 1 Australia and the rapidly improving France, at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
The action will then shift to Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, where England will take on Wales in the first game to be played at the brand-new stadium. The final game of the opening day will pit hosts India against Spain in a contest that has proven to be full of goals, in recent times.
FIH chief Thierry Weil said: “We’re looking forward to outstanding matches in the iconic Kalinga Stadium of Bhubaneswar and the brand-new Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela, which will be a fantastic legacy for hockey, not only for India but for the world. On behalf of FIH, I’d like to renew our thanks to Hockey India for putting together what will for sure be a memorable event.”
Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey said: “All the preparations for the tournament are on track and we are very excited to organize the biggest hockey tournament. I would like to invite all the hockey fans to Bhubaneswar and Rourkela to witness the high-octane action between the world’s best sides.”
