Bhubaneswar could host hockey matches should India win its bid to host the 2036 Olympics.
The Indian government has planned to make the Games a ‘pan-India movement’, with events held out of Gujarat, the state at the head of the hosting.
Known as the hockey capital of India, Bhubaneswar has previously hosted the Men’s Hockey World Cup in 2018 and the FIH Pro League.
Its state-of-the-art Kalinga Stadium is set to undergo further upgrades to meet Olympic standards..
“We want to take the sports to other parts of India as well and make it a movement and celebration for the full country,” an official told the Indian Express.
Sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya was in Bhubaneswar recently visiting the Kalinga Stadium where he met Odisha sports secretary Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma.
“Internal discussions have been taking place for some time but there is nothing concrete yet. Yes, there is a possibility (of Bhubaneswar hosting hockey at the 2036 Olympics) but all those decisions will be taken in New Delhi,” a second official said.
