Bhumi Pujan Conducted in Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium

Rajesh Mohapatra,Odishabarta

ROURKELA: In BPUT campus the Bumi Pujan of Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium was conducted with all enthusiasm. This mega International Hockey Stadium which was proposed finally going to take its shape in a short span of time of one year proposed. This is a dream project of Hon’ble Naveen Patnaik, CM, Odisha.

In this Bhumi pujan, Sarda Nayak, MLA, Rourkela, Aboli  Sunil Narwane and Bijay Mohanty, Head of IDCO, Rourkela Division were present with few other officials and selected guests.

This international stadium proposed was inaugurated by Naveen Patnaik last February inside the BPUT campus which will be constructed on 15 acres of land and it will be having all international standard infrastructures with a   sophisticated Astroturf grass. Capacity of the stadium is 20000 and having all facilities like practice site, fitness centre, ultra modern flood lights and parking facilities.

This will be one of the biggest hockey Stadium in the country after its completion. The main attraction would be to utilise for Men’s Hockey World Cup which will be organised by Odisha in 2023 and venue would be in two places, one at Bhubaneswar and the other one in this stadium. Hence, everybody’s expectation is very high and feeling proud for this project. Sarada Nayak in his address thanked the Hon’ble CM to have a vision for a stadium of international standard in a tribal populated district like Sundergarh, which shows his love for the tribals of the district. It is really encouraging to have a stadium like this is an achievement for the district and sport lovers particularly adivasi players of the district.

This district have produced so many international hockey players like Dilip Tirkey, Lajzarus Barla, Ignes Tirkey, Prabodh Tirkey ,Birendra Lakra, Namita Toppo, Sunia Lakra and many others. Indeed, having a infrastructure like this is a dream come true said, Sarda Nayak and thanked Naveen Patnaik for this gift to the district. It is also proposed that there will be Astroturf in every block which will enable many budding hockey players to pursue their career in sports and to bring laurel to the state and country at large.