We are humbled and grateful for this incredible recognition by the Asian Hockey Federation. A World Cup at home is always special.
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Due to their successful hosting of the 2023 FIH WC, Hockey India was recognized as the best organizer. This year, India’s Bhubaneswar and Rourkela successfully hosted the FIH Men’s World Cup. The Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) has made this acknowledgment. As the event’s successful host country this year, India received the Best Organizer Award. AHF gave out the prize. During the AHF Congress in Mungyeong, the award was given to Hockey India’s general secretary.
The FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup was held in India for the fourth time whereas, Odisha served as the host city for the event twice. Delhi hosted it in 2010, and Mumbai hosted it in 1982. Additionally, India becomes the first country to twice host the hockey World Cup. The 2018 World Cup was previously held at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar. But this time it was at the recently built Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela.
The stadium of the FIH Men’s World Cup was the center of attraction. The Rourkela stadium could hold about 21,000 people, which is a significant number. Birsa Munda, the leader, was honored with a stadium name. On January 29, 2023, Guinness World Records recognized it as the largest fully seated hockey arena in the world moreover, the stadium here is currently India’s second-largest hockey venue.
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In the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023, India. The host country, placed ninth. At the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, India defeated South Africa by a score of 5-2 to cap off its season. South Africa came in at position eleven. There were a total of 16 teams competing in the FIH Men’s World Cup 2023 whereas, Germany emerged victorious and won the tournament for the third time.
Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium served as the venue for the hockey village designed in the Olympic style meanwhile, this was done to simulate a game village at multi-sport competitions like the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games. Everyone was informed about the endangered Olive Ridley Turtles by Olly, the tournament mascot.
Dilip Tirkey, the president of Hockey India, stated in an interview, “We are humbled and grateful for this incredible recognition by the Asian Hockey Federation. A World Cup held at home is always special at Hockey India. We put everyone’s enjoyment first, including the competing teams, officials, and spectators.” He continued, “Without the ongoing support and vision of the Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik meanwhile, all the stakeholders, and everyone who worked to make this event successful, our endeavor would not have been possible.”
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