Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik lauded the organizers including State Government officials for successful completion of the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2021 despite several challenges including cyclone Jawad.
The tournament, which started here at Kalinga Stadium on November 24, ended today with Argentina lifting the title.
Lauding the efforts of the organizers, Mr.Patnaik said, “Firstly, I congratulate the winners of the prestigious FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2021. I also extend greetings to all the participating teams who played in the true spirit of the game.”
He also congratulated the hosts Hockey India and the officials of Odisha government who ensured this event was a big success and they established all the Covid-related protocols to ensure a safe playing environment was provided to the young and rising stars of world hockey.
Stating this was the first big international hockey tournament being held in India after the Covid-19 pandemic which halted all sporting events in March 2020, he said, “I am very proud that we have witnessed successful completion despite several challenges including cyclone Jawad.”
The FIH President Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra, presented a replica of the Junior World Cup trophy to the Chief Minister as a gesture of deep appreciation for all the support extended by the Odisha State Government to host this prestigious event for rising stars of world hockey.
He also presented a replica of the Junior World Cup to the Minister Sports and Youth Services Tusharkanti Behera as well as Vishal Dev, Principal Secretary, Finance, and R Vineel Krishna, Secretary, Department of Sports and Youth Services.
Thanking all the officials from Odisha State Government who worked round-the-clock to make this event a grand success, Gyanendro Ningombam, President Hockey India said, “It was absolutely delightful to see hockey return to its favourite hub – Bhubaneswar, Odisha which has now become synonymous to world hockey for it’s incredible infrastructure as well as the hockey-loving people of the state.”
“We are very fortunate to have unparalleled support from the Chief Minister as well all the officials involved in making this event a big success. There were several challenges that were overcome to host this tournament in a safe manner. I extend my deepest gratitude to Chief Minister as well as all the officials from the Odisha State Government for their efforts in making this a grand success,” he said.
With hockey returning to its hub in Bhubaneswar which has hosted several international tournaments including the FIH Men’s World Cup in 2018, the officials of both Hockey India and Odisha government ensured safe playing environment was provided for players from 16 top countries as well as officials from various nations.