Newly-laid hockey pitches all set for action at Hockey World Cup in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela
Bhubaneswar, December 10, 2022
Ahead of the Hockey World Cup, four new pitches have been laid and re all set for action in the state-of-the-art venues at Kalinga Hockey Stadium, Bhubaneswar, as well as the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela.
The main pitch in the Kalinga Stadium as well as the practice pitch have been re-laid, while Rourkela will feature brand new pitches that are certified by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).
The FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar – Rourkela will be the 15th edition of this prestigious event.
Matches will be played in the new “jewel” of hockey, the Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela, and at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, where the top 16 teams from around the world, including India, will compete in the event, slated to take place from January 13 to 29, 2023.
The 16 teams have been divided into four pools, with India in Pool D alongside England, Spain, and Wales.
The top teams from each pool will advance directly to the quarter-finals, while the remaining teams from the four pools will compete in cross-over matches for a spot in the quarter-finals.
Pool A includes Argentina, Australia, France, and South Africa, while Pool B includes Belgium, Germany, Korea, and Japan. Pool C includes the Netherlands, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Chile.
Bhubaneswar will host 24 matches, including cross-overs, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final, while Rourkela will host 20, with India hosting the first two league matches on January 13 and 16.
"These are truly exciting times for hockey fans with the Hockey World Cup Bhubaneswar-Rourkela only a few weeks away. I am very happy to note that all four newly laid pitches certified by FIH are ready to be used.
"Both Kalinga and Birsa Munda Stadiums will provide world-class facilities for the participating teams and the spectators. We are grateful to the Odisha State Government who have left no stone unturned in ensuring this edition of the World Cup will be a memorable one for everyone," said Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey.
India has also hosted to the 2010 and 2018 editions of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup.
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