This story is from July 1, 2020

COVID-19 'unlikely' to affect Odisha's infrastructure and hosting budget for 2023 Hockey World Cup

The development around the World Cup is expected to run into crores, as part of the Odisha government’s marquee Smart City programme. Both Bhubaneswar and Rourkela are part of that. The state sports minister, Tusharkanti Behera, said the budget is 'unlikely' to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 'unlikely' to affect Odisha's infrastructure and hosting budget for 2023 Hockey World Cup
File photo (TOI)
NEW DELHI: Besides putting human life in disarray, COVID-19 has come down as a hammer leaving serious cracks on the world economy that could take years to repair. Amid that, hosts of future international sports events may have to re-look at their budgets. However, Odisha is confident that it won't have to go that way as hosts of the 2023 Men's Hockey World Cup.
For the second edition in a row, FIH awarded India the hosting rights of the men's World Cup.
Hockey India considered Odisha, hosts of the last edition in 2018, as the best option among the cities shortlisted to host the tournament. This time, though, Bhubanewar will co-host the event along with Rourkela.
The development around the World Cup is expected to run into crores, as part of the Odisha government’s marquee Smart City programme. Both Bhubaneswar and Rourkela are part of that. The state sports minister, Tusharkanti Behera, said the budget is 'unlikely' to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"As seen during the 2018 Hockey World Cup, hosting of the 2023 World Cup in Rourkela and Bhubaneswar will boost sports tourism in the region," the minister said while talking to Timesofindia.com
"Investments have been planned around development and upgradation of supporting infrastructure to give a facelift to the city of Rourkela. As all these investments are essential towards the successful hosting of the World Cup, it is unlikely that the government will cut down on the infrastructure and hosting budget," Behera stated.
"The government will ensure all necessary expenditure will be undertaken to make the World Cup a glorious success."

The government had additionally announced High Performance Centres and laying of synthetic hockey pitches in 17 blocks of Sundergarh.
The plan was first revealed in 2018 and then reiterated in 2019.
"Locations for the pitches have now been identified. The pitches will be developed in a phased manner over the next few years," Behera said when asked about the progress of the project.
"Work has commenced for the Hockey Training Center in Bhawanipur Sports Complex, Sundergarh. Construction of field of play/relay of turf along with related infrastructure facilities like changing rooms for both male and female players, public toilets, office space, physio and coach rooms and seating galleries for close to 200 spectators is underway," he said.
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