Bhubaneswar: Indian Men’s Hockey team arrived in Bhubaneswar for the prestigious FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023, which is scheduled to be held in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela next month.
After reaching the Bhubaneswar airport, the players were given a warm welcome. The team led by ace dragflicker Harmanpreet Singh will reach Rourkela from Bhubaneswar via Jharsuguda airport by evening. From tomorrow, the team will practice at the newly built Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela.
The Indian team grouped in pool D along with England, Spain and Wales will begin their campaign on 13th January 2023 at Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium.
Following their match against Spain on the first day of the competition, India will play England on Sunday, January 15th, in Rourkela, followed by their final group encounter against Wales on Thursday, January 19th in Bhubaneswar.
A total of 20 matches will take place at the new ‘jewel’ of hockey, the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, which has a seating capacity of over 20,000. Meanwhile, the iconic Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar will host 24 matches, including cross-overs, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar-Rourkela Final.
The 16 teams competing in the tournament are Australia, Belgium, the Netherlands, India, Argentina, Germany, New Zealand, England, France, Korea, Malaysia, Spain, South Africa, Japan, Chile, and Wales.