Hockey has come full age. In its 100th year, the Federation Internationale de Hockey (FIH) continues to pin hopes on India as a credible host of its premier events, like World Cups, Olympic Qualifiers and FIH Pro League Mini Tournaments.
Initially, the choice was limited to Bhubaneswar in Odisha. Now it has spread to other cities. Last year when India hosted the World Cup for the second consecutive time in Odisha, the choice of venues had swelled to two. Both Hockey India and Odisha Government decided to bifurcate the World. Cup matches between two cities thus bringing Rourkela on international hockey horizon.
Rourkela has earned the distinction of having two international hockey stadiums, both equipped with latest synthetic surfaces. The new Birsa Munda Stadium is also the world’s largest seated stadium and has its own independent hockey village where participating teams can stay. This facility does not exist elsewhere in the world.
Now Rourkela will also play host to a mini FIH Pro League tournament in February this year as both men and women games would be organised in this second steel town of Odisha.
In all, Bhubaneshwar and Rourkela will be venue for 60 FIH Pro League Games, both in men and women sections.
With Ranchi jumping into the fray, some international competitions have now gone to Jharkhand. The President of the Jharkhand Hockey Association, Bhola Shankar Singh, is also the Secretary General of Hockey India.
The Olympic Hockey Qualifying Tournament for women is the second major FIH event in Ranchi. Other States are watching hoping that international competitions will go to them also.
Though there cannot be any comparisons, Odisha has become a major established venue for FIH to0urnaments. It has successfully conducted all tournament Hockey India got during the past one decade. The only events that went out of Odisha included Asian Champions Trophy for men (Chennai) and women (Ranchi) besides the ongoing women Olympic qualifier at Ranchi.
Odisha government has also done a good job by improving basic civic infrastructure, including roads, bridges, parks, storm water drainage and garbage disposal. Ranchi has its inherent problems, including traffic bottle necks, narrow and congested lanes.
All FIH needs is sponsorship along with basic infrastructure, including two synthetic surfaces, good connectivity, and good quality hotels for players and officials alike.
After Navin Patnaik and Hemant Soren, who will be the next CM to join this bandwagon?
(Prabhjot Singh is a veteran journalist with over three decades of experience of 14 years with Reuters News and 30 years with The Tribune Group, covering a wide spectrum of subjects and stories. He has covered Punjab and Sikh affairs for more than three decades besides covering seven Olympics and several major sporting events and hosting TV shows.)
