**Gold Coast:** As the Indian men’s hockey team takes on New Zealand in the first semi-final of the 2018 Commonwealth Games, an [Odisha](https://www.ommcomnews.com/public/world-hockey-cup-bugle-blown-at-new-delhi-team-india-jersey-with-odisha-logo-unveiled-by-cm-naveen-patnaik-) delegation led by Minister for Sports and Youth Services Chandra Sarathi Behera is at the venue of the Gold Coast XXI Commonwealth games. The delegation is visiting Australia to study the organisational aspects of major international sports event in view of the Men’s Hockey World Cup in Bhubaneswar scheduled from November 28 to December 16 this year.
A little girl Nishta wearing the Indian Hockey jersey with Odisha logo stole the march and became the apple of eye of one and all hockey lovers at the venue. She was putting on the jersey of Indian Women Hockey Team’s captain Rani and was very optimistic in her lookout regarding their performance.
Her father Ravinder Singh, had come to New Zealand in 2005 and had settled there. But he was a part of his University hockey team in India. His daughter is also a hockey player with an uncanny interest in the game.
Presently working in immigration centre, Ravinder said, “I am very confident that the overtures that the Odisha Government is taking to promote the Indian Hockey will take it to a higher level as it is done in a very big way. A 5-yrs-contract for men and women hockey is a very big feat for hockey.
The Minister invited her and family to the Men’s Hockey World Cup in Bhubaneswar.
The Odisha delegation consisting of Development Commissioner R Balakrishnan, Sports Secretary Vishal Kumar Dev, Sports Director Vineel Krishna and Sports Joint Secretary Manoj Padhy were delighted by the response of the hockey fans towards the Odisha government and the endeavours undertaken by CM Naveen Patnaik.
Sanjay Kohli, manufacturer of hockey sticks said, “We are doing something in the name of Mission Odisha sponsored by Dillip Tirkey. It is really amazing the way Odisha Government and the Chief Minister of Odisha is sponsoring hockey. It is a solid score for Indian Hockey, men and women both. I am sure that hockey will gain more momentum in the coming years. Thanks to Mr Patnaik for his vision for Odisha.
An Indian hockey lover who had settled in New Zealand for 26 years said, “Last year, I was there in Bhubaneswar for the World Hockey League. It is nice to see how Bhubaneswar and Odisha have taken up to hockey. If it goes this way, Bhubaneswar will soon take over Punjab in hockey.”
Indians from various parts of Australia and New Zealand came to this important match. The delegation met some of them and there was appreciation for the efforts of the Odisha government in promoting the national game of Hockey. Some of the die hard fans had come to Bhubaneswar for the Hockey World League during December 2017. They had very good experience in Bhubaneswar and are looking forward to the World Cup later this year.
**Also Read:** [‘One Team, One Dream’ Global Fans Flock Together To Cheer Up Indian Hockey Team](https://www.ommcomnews.com/public/-one-team-one-dream-global-fans-flock-together-to-cheer-up-indian-hockey-team-)
**Also Read:** [Odisha’s Arrangement Praiseworthy, Augurs Well For Hockey In World Class Kalinga Stadium: Aficionados](https://www.ommcomnews.com/public/odisha-s-arrangement-praiseworthy-augurs-well-for-hockey-in-world-class-kalinga-stadium-aficionados)
