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  Who benefits from hockey promotion in Odisha?
06 Jul 2023
 

There is no denying the fact that through promotion of hockey, Odisha Government has created an enviable impact worldwide. Spending money like water, the State has hosted a number major international commpetitions, sponsored National teams, set up world class stadiums, high performance and grassroots centres with synthetic turfs.

Thanks to the support of the Odisha government, Indian men hockey team won an Olympic medal after a gap of 41 years. Even in hockey governance, the State government has become a major stake holder with its brand ambassador and hockey legend Dilip Tirkey heading both the State and National bodies.

 

But how far these efforts and investments have helped to elevate the standard of the sport in the State? With water leaking from the roof of the brand new Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, few months after the Steel City hosted the FIH Men World Cup, boundary walls of the stadium and the giant statue of hockey player crumbling, people have started asking questions.

Disappointing performances of Odisha teams in recent National hockey championships and the dwindling number of Odisha representation of Odisha players in National teams have given more reasons to question the government.

Was it for the promotion of hockey or promotion of political interests? Was it for boosting the image of the State or that a few powerful individuals? What was the real purpose? These questions may sound bitter to the government, but deserve attention.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- PICS ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOP: A view of the Guinness World Record famed Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela.
RIGHT: The plight of the the 40-feet tall statue of a hockey player in steel city Rourkela.

 
   

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