Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 grand opening ceremony organised in Barabati Stadium in Cuttack
Men's Hockey World Cup, 2023 began with a grand opening on Wednesday, 11 January 2023 evening. Thousands of hockey lovers along with artists and celebrities witnessed the spectacular ceremony in Barabati Stadium in Cuttack.
Men's Hockey World Cup, 2023 began with a grand opening on Wednesday, 11 January 2023 evening. Thousands of hockey lovers along with artists and celebrities witnessed the spectacular ceremony in Barabati Stadium in Cuttack.
The mega event has added up the prestige of Odisha. Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, International Hockey Federation president Tayyab Ikram and Hockey India chairman Dilip Tirkey welcomed members of all the 16 participating teams.
While addressing the event Ikram complimented Odisha for hosting the mega event two times. Last time the event was organised at 2018 in Kalinga Stadium. He labelled the state as the "Land of Hockey". Thakur thanked the Odisha government for hosting the event in grandeur. “The enthusiasm of the people of India and the state showed their love for the game”, he added. He also mentioned that the Centre would never back away from providing support to states for hosting such sporting events.
CM Naveen Pattnaik said “Odisha has long been known for its hospitality and hoped every visitor takes back good memories of their stay in the state”. He also thanked “Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union government for supporting Odisha in hosting the Men's Hockey World Cup twice consecutively”.
The grand opening ceremony was adored with colourful cultural programmes. It began with a tribal dance performance which was a fusion of at least six local dance forms and it was choreographed by eminent dance guru Aruna Mohanty. Odia singers Sniti Mishra, Rituraj Mohanty, Lisa Mishra along with actor-couple Sabyasachi Mishra and Archita Sahu entertained the crowd.
Sixteen fan parks had been set up across the city so that thousands of hockey lovers and enthusiasts could enjoy the opening ceremony on giant screens. Composer of The Hockey World Cup theme song and popular music director Pritam, performed the song on the stage along with numerous other singers.
The matches are scheduled to be held at two venues from January 13 to January 29. 20 matches would take place in Birsa Mundra Hockey Stadium in Rourkela and 24 matches including the finals will be held in Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
