Inviting All CMs for Hockey WC Demonstrates Naveen’s Statesmanship in Bringing Togetherness Through Sports

Bhubaneswar: It is a proud moment for Odisha to host the prestigious Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup 2023 in the state. It is one of the greatest events in the world concerning Hockey – the game that is cherished by millions of people across the world. It is also a prouder moment for Odisha and the country to host the Hockey World Cup twice consecutively. In 2019, Odisha showcased its capability to host one of the biggest sporting events of the world by successfully hosting the World Cup in Bhubaneswar. The successful management of the event eventually resulted in the state getting another chance to hold it in 2023.

It is the commitment of the Government of Odisha led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to promote Hockey at the world level which has helped the game revive in the recent times. Odisha’s wholehearted support to Hockey is helping it to get back its past glory not only in the country but also internationally. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who has an inclination towards development of sports and games for prosperity and progress, has transformed Odisha into the Sports Capital of the country today.

The Chief Minister has been constantly monitoring the preparations for the World Cup to make it another greatest event in the history of Hockey. Rourkela has been provided with the most advanced Hockey stadium of the world which will host the event along with Bhubaneswar. 5T Secretary V K Pandian, who is spearheading the sporting movement in Odisha is leading from the front to make it happen. While he has been overseeing the development of the sports infrastructure in the state, he has also become an inspiration for budding sportspersons from the state due to his commitment.

On Thursday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik held an all party meeting to appraise the leaders about Odisha’s preparedness about the upcoming Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup. The meeting was attended by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) Leader Narasingha Mishra, Odisha Congress Vice President Santosh Singh Saluja, BJD Vice Presidents Prasanna Acharya and Devi Prasad Mishra, BJD Organizational Secretary Pranab Prakash Das, BJP State President Samir Mohanty, CPI General Secretary Ramakrushna Panda, MLA Taraprasad Bahinipati, MLA Laxman Munda, and others.

In the meeting, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik suggested that the Chief Ministers of all the States should be personally invited to come to Odisha and be a part of the grand event. It was also decided that the all-party delegation will visit various states and extend personal invitations to the Chief Ministers of all states to visit Odisha and participate in the World Cup as esteemed guests.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s gesture to talk to all irrespective of their political affiliations is what makes him a true statesman. He held meeting with different political party leaders and sought their suggestions on an issue concerning the state and the country. Took valuable advice from them to further strengthen the sporting culture in Odisha. Also, as a tall national leader he has decided that the Chief Ministers of all states will be invited to the event to give it a truly national character.

Odisha Sports Minister Tusharkanti Behera along with Dilip Tirkey, President, Hockey India and other senior officials have already begun personally inviting the guests including Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju, Ashwini Vaishnav, Anurag Thakur and others.

The World Cup Trophy that began its journey across the country has been getting rousing reception in all the places it is visiting. People from all ages and sections are feeling proud of this international event being held in Odisha. The hosting of this prestigious event in Odisha is not an event of only Odisha. It is a national prestige and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has played a true statesmanlike role in bringing together all for a sporting cause. The slogan of Odisha has been “Sports For Youth and Youth For Future”, truly depicting the changing times and the commitment of the state. From Kashmir To Kanyakumari and from Kutch To Kohima, Hockey has become the uniting factor in the nation led by Odisha under the leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.