Bhubaneswar: Chief Ministers of all states will be invited for the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 to be held in Odisha, announced Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today.
Patnaik made the announcement while chairing an all-party meeting convened at the Lok Seba Bhawan Convention Centre here for the successful hosting of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023.
The Chief Minister sought the cooperation of all political parties for the successful hosting and smooth conduct of the Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 in the state.
Patnaik in his speech thanked the Central government especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the cooperation in the preparations for the Hockey World Cup.
He stated that in organising the Hockey World Cup not only the honour of Odisha but that of the entire country is involved and therefore requested all to work together.
Participating in the discussion, leaders of various political parties thanked the government for its efforts towards the development of sports and stated that hosting the World Cup for the second time in a row has raised Odisha’s reputation throughout the world.
Joining the meeting, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan praised the state government for such an arrangement and expressed that everyone should work together so that Odisha can produce 100 Olympians by the centenary celebration of the formation of Odisha as a separate province in 2036.
This apart, Pradhan suggested for inclusion of the rare event of holding Hockey World Cup twice in a row in school syllabus; involving citizens in the cleanliness of Bhubaneswar and Rourkela; and branding of the Rourkela-Bhubaneswar railway line for hockey. He said the Central government will provide all types of cooperation.
Taking part in the discussion leader of the Congress Legislature Party Narasingh Mishra proposed construction of hockey stadium in all districts of the state.
Among others, Congress vice-president Santosh Singh Saluja, Biju Janata Dal (BJD’s) vice-president Debiprasad Mishra, BJD’s organizing secretary Pranab Prakash Das, BJP State president Samir Mohanty, CPI general secretary Ramkrushna Panda, MLAs Taraprasad Bahinipati and Laxman Munda, CPI’s Ali Kishore Patnaik and Abhay Sahu, Samajbadi Party’s Rabi Behera, AAP’s state convenor Nishikant Mohapatra, RJD’s State president Hemant Kumar took part in the discussion and shared their well thought out suggestions.
Sports Minister Tushar Kanti Behera coordinated the meeting.
Sports Secretary R Vineel Krishna Sports Secretary presented the details of the preparation and various programmes of the 17-day sports extravaganza to be held from the 13th to the 29th of next month.
Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra who was present in the meeting gave the vote of thanks.
