The Odisha Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik has confirmed the dates and host city for the Junior Hockey World Cup 2021. The temple city of Bhubaneswar will host the second FIH event in three years.
After successfully hosting the 2018 Men’s Hockey World Cup, Bhubaneswar will stage yet another prestigious FIH world event – the Odisha Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Bhubaneswar 2021. The much-awaited announcement was made in Bhubaneswar today (Thursday) by the Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The Minister for Sports and Youth Services from Odisha Tusharkanti Behera and FIH president Narinder Dhruv Batra and Hockey India Secretary General Rajinder Singh attended the event where Patnaik also unveiled the event logo.
This marquee event in the international hockey calendar will be held from 24 November to 5 December 2021 and will feature 16 teams which are India, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, South Africa, Egypt, Belgium, England, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, USA, Canada, Chile and Argentina.
Also Read:- PCB Chief voms to get compensation from New Zealand Cricket
While Odisha is also gearing up to host the 2023 FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela, Patnaik accepted the proposal to host the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Bhubaneswar 2021 starting in November.
The CM also launched the logo for the prestigious event. “Odisha is the hub for hockey in the country and the Odisha State Government will continue to do everything in our capacity to help the sport grow further and achieve further laurels on the world level. We look forward to welcoming 16 top teams from across the world to participate in the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Bhubaneswar 2021. We are delighted to be hosts of this prestigious tournament. Our priority will be to ensure a safe environment to compete during these challenging covid times,” he said.
“The FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Bhubaneswar 2021 is the pinnacle of tournaments for U-21 and is a very important fixture in the FIH calendar. We are delighted that Odisha with their world-class infrastructure are set to host an event of this magnitude. As always, we have been extended full support by the Odisha State Government and the event will be held following all required Covid-19 protocols.” expressed Batra.
Speaking on the preparations for the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Bhubaneswar 2021 which is less than three months away, Rajinder Singh said, “It is a great honour for Hockey India to host back-to-back FIH Hockey Junior Men’s World Cup. In 2016, it was a memorable outing for us in Lucknow where India won the tournament beating Belgium in the Final. Hockey India over the years has organised several events of international importance in India and with the support of Odisha State Government, we are confident of organising yet another memorable event for the participating teams, officials and the fans.”
Odisha has in the past one decade provided the best infrastructure for hockey and hosted some prestigious international events.
More Read:- Covid-19: Virus breaches IPL bubble, Sunrise Hyderabad players tests positive
