Hockey Champions Trophy in BBSR

Bhubaneswar will host the 35th edition of Champions Trophy men’s hockey tournament. It will be held between 13–21 December 2014.

The eight-team elite International Hockey Federation (FIH) event will be held at the Kalinga Stadium, which is presently under renovation and will be in full shape by June next year, Hockey India secretary general Narinder Batra said.

Batra also informed that Hockey India will host the event in collaboration with Odisha state government.

“It has been more than a month that we have allocated the Champions Trophy to Orissa and it will be held in Bhubaneswar,” Batra said.

“We have full support from the Orissa government. The stadium will have two astroturfs, one is ready and the work on the other is going on. The Orissa government has assured us that the entire construction work will be completed by June next year,” he said.

Batra said being medium sized stadium and the growing popularity of the game in Orissa, the Champions Trophy is expected to draw huge crowds to the ground unlike previous events at capital’s Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

The FIH also gave thumbs up to Bhubaneswar when a delegation of the world body visited the Kalinga stadium earlier this year and were impressed with the facilities.