Bhubaneswar, Jan 12 : It was a memorable trip for 133 students of Tapovan High School in Bhubaneswar to experience the stadium and the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium and the transformed city of Rourkela.

On Tuesday, the students have the unique opportunity to arrive in Rourkela in a special charter flight from Bhubaneswar, organized by SC/ST Development Department, along with the Department of Sports and Youth Services.

Although these students are studying in Bhubaneswar, they come from small villages and belong to different tribal areas.
Sitting in an aircraft and watching how villages look from above was a memorable and surreal experience for them,” said District Welfare Officer P M Pradhan who received them at the airport.

Pradhan revealed that the students were given a tour of the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium. “They
sat inside the stadium to get a feel of the facility and then interacted with Hockey India officials
who explained to them the aspects of the game and the stadium,” Pradhan said.

After the stadium visit, they went round the city to witness how Rourkela had been lit up and transformed.”They were taken to IG Park, the Hockey Chowk and various attractive installations
that have been decorated for the event which begins on January 13

The students were thrilled to have this experience which will remain one of their fondest memories
of their school days.

A World Cup is much beyond just the fiercely fought matches on the field. It is also about spirit and inclusion. Fans will take back more than just the thrill of the action.

The Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium will host two matches on Thursday, where England will take on Wales, and home team India will take on Spain.