Bhubaneswar, Jan 9 : Over 50 distinguished delegates consisting of senior-level government officials, former hockey legends, presidents and secretaries of various state associations, and other esteemed dignitaries will participate in the National Hockey Conclave on January 10 next.
The Hockey Association of Odisha in association with the Sports & Youth Services Department of the Odisha government is organizing the conclave at the Eco-Retreat Konark to provide a platform to various stakeholders from more than 20 states and union territories around the country.
The conclave will discuss ways to develop Indian hockey holistically starting from player performance, coaching, grassroots talent identification, and administration as well as global emerging trends, opportunities and challenges.
Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey said, “This is the first time the hockey conclave is taking place in the state with support from the Hockey Association of Odisha and the government.
Tirkey further said the Conclave will see discussion on the development of hockey in India, transition of playing style over the years, the changes that have happened and how the game has changed overall, among other topics.
Odisha is hosting the FIH Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar-Rourkela for the second consecutive time and this mega event is being organized in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela from January 13 to 29.
The buzz around the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 Bhubaneswar-Rourkela has already gripped the people of the state with excitement.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had last week inaugurated the World Cup Village and the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium Complex in Rourkela.
Sports & Youth Services Department, Joint Secretary Shailendra Jena, said the conclave is aimed at bringing the hockey fraternity together and will be the first of a kind that the state is spearheading for the development of a national-level sport.
It is being organized on the occasion of the state hosting the FIH Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023.
The government has also constructed the world’s largest seated hockey stadium in Rourkela, as a tribute to the hockey players of the nation which will play a pivotal role in the development of Indian Hockey.