Odisha to host Men's Hockey World Cup in 2018

Bhubaneswar, Aug 7 (IANS) Odisha's capital city Bhubaneshwar is set to host the men's hockey World Cup in 2018 and the World League final in 2017 at Kalinga Stadium here.

"The state is poised to host the hockey World League final next year and the prestigious men's hockey World Cup in 2018," said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday.

He was speaking at the Junior World Chess Championship organised at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University.

Bhubaneswar has already successfully hosted the eight-nation Champions Trophy men's hockey tournament in 2014.

"The state has already been placed in the international sporting map. The state government assigns high importance for promotion of sports and development of sports infrastructure," said the chief minister.

He said the government has made a number of policy interventions to encourage sportspersons to excel in national and international sporting events.

"Direct recruitment of meritorious sportspersons, substantial enhancement of cash incentives for successful sports, persons are some of the initiatives," added the chief minister.

Patnaik also expressed his happiness that the boys and girls of Odisha are showing excellent performance in various national and international events in recent years.

--IANS

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