Mostly sought-World Cup Hockey game started in Rourkela & Bhubaneswar
Rajesh Mohapatra,Odisahbarta
ROURKELA: The mostly awaited Men’s Hockey World cup has started its journey in Odisha, 2023, having two venues, one is at Bhubaneswar and another one is in Rourkela, the newly built stadium with a sitting capacity of 21000 viewers which is the 2nd largest in India. Today there were two matches in both the venues. In Bhubaneswar the two matches were played at 1pm and 3pm amid huge crowd. First match was played between Argentina vs South Africa which was won by Agentina1-0 and the Second match was played between Australia and France and as expected the result goes one sided for Australia 8-0. The second venue, Rourkela was carrying all importance because, for the first time ever any international event is being organized in the city, a stadium which holds the second as per viewers capacity is concerned. It’s really an art of modern infrastructure which is world class with Hockey villages where, there are 200 rooms for official and players. The first game was held between England vs Wales and England won the match comfortably with 5-0 scores. The second match was mostly searched and sought one because the whole India was eagerly waiting for the game, game of utmost importance because India, the sixth ranked as per FIH to play its first game in this world cup at its home ground against one of the top teams in world, Spain, which presently ranking 8th as per FIH. As expected huge thrilled crowd had cheered up for India throughout the game non-stop, boosted the morals of the Indian team. As a result the Odisha boy, Amit Rohidas, the vice-Captain of Indian team scored the first goal and played excellently well in the game. Indian team thanked the enthusiastic crowd who cheer up for them relentlessly by winning the match 2-0 against Spain. Indian team throughout the game had dominated and Spain team ultimately surrendered to them which was backed by a huge crowd. The entire stadium was highly illuminated and was all prepared to welcome International teams. Most of the time, viewers were on their feet with national flags sloganeering ‘Bharat Mata ki jay’ and ‘India..India’. The heart beat really was beating fast throughout the game and it inspired many young hockey players from Rourkela and India as a whole. This hockey fiesta will continue its journey in Rourkela till 28th of January.
