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India’s largest hockey stadium to be ready next year

Construction work on India’s largest hockey stadium in Rourkela will be wrapped up by July 2022, according to the state government in Odisha.

In February, the foundation stone was laid for the 20,000-seat stadium, which is being built for India’s staging of the 2023 Men’s Hockey World Cup.

Spread across 15 acres, the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium will be one of two primary venues used for the tournament, alongside the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

“The construction work of the Bisra Munda Hockey Stadium will be completed by June-July 2022,” said Odisha Government Chief Secretary SC Mohapatra, who added that he would keep a close eye on progress over the coming months.

Naveen Patnaik, Odisha’s Chief Minister, has previously said that the new venue would set a “new benchmark in global stadium design for hockey, offering one of the finest spectator experiences in the world”.

The stadium in the Sundergarh district of Rourkela is being developed in association with the Hockey India governing body. It intends to become a model for sustainable, functional and cost-effective design, with fans positioned close to the field to enhance the atmosphere.

Reports have suggested the overall construction cost will be R1.2bn (£11.8m/€13.8m/$16.1m).

Images: Government of Odisha