BHUBANESWAR: After successfully hosting the 2018 Men's Hockey World Cup, the temple city of Bhubaneswar will stage the FIH Odisha Hockey Men's Junior World Cup Bhubaneswar 2021.
The much-awaited announcement was made in Bhubaneswar on Thursday by the Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, in the presence of Minister for Sports and Youth Services, Government of Odisha, Tusharkanti Behera, FIH president Narinder Batra and Hockey India secretary general Rajinder Singh.
This marquee event in the international hockey calendar will be held from 24 November to 5 December and will feature 16 teams - India, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, South Africa, Egypt, Belgium, England, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, USA, Canada, Chile and Argentina.
Odisha is also gearing up to host the 2023 FIH Men's Hockey World Cup in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela.
At the announcement ceremony, Patnaik also launched the event logo, stating: "Odisha is the hub for hockey in the country and the Odisha state government will continue to do everything in our capacity to help the sport grow further and achieve further laurels on the world level. We look forward to welcoming 16 top teams from across the world to participate in the FIH Odisha Hockey Men's Junior World Cup Bhubaneswar 2021. We are delighted to be hosts of this prestigious tournament. Our priority will be to ensure a safe environment to compete during these challenging covid times."
Batra noted: "The FIH Odisha Hockey Men's Junior World Cup Bhubaneswar 2021 is the pinnacle of tournaments for U-21 and is a very important fixture in the FIH calendar. We are delighted that Odisha with their world-class infrastructure are set to host an event of this magnitude. As always, we have been extended full support by the Odisha State Government and the event will be held following all required Covid-19 protocols.”
Speaking on the preparations for the FIH Odisha Hockey Men's Junior World Cup Bhubaneswar 2021, which is less than three months away, Rajinder Singh said: "It is a great honour for Hockey India to host back-to-back FIH Hockey Junior Men's World Cup. In 2016, it was a memorable outing for us in Lucknow where India won the tournament beating Belgium in the Final. Hockey India over the years has organised several events of international importance in India and with the support of Odisha State Government, we are confident of organising yet another memorable event for the participating teams, officials and the fans."
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