Hockey World Cup countdown clock unveiled

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, on August 29, unveiled the countdown clock for the 201■ hockey men’s World Cup to be held at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar from November 2■ to December 16.

Patnaik also launched the “My Heart Beats for Hockey” campaign that aims at spreading the passion and love for the game of hockey in the lead up to the Hockey World Cup.

The campaign, which seeks support from every Indian for the game of hockey, urges people to pledge their support for the game, saying: “My heart beats for hockey, does yours?”

“Hockey has a prominent place in the sports history of Odisha. Odisha has produced brilliant hockey players who have brought laurels for the country at the international sports arena,” said Patnaik while launching the 90daylong campaign.

Observing that the World Cup is hockey’s highest ranking tournament, Patnaik said that the Odisha government is taking all steps to organise it in a befitting manner and ensure that it’s a grand success.

Hockey India CEO Elena Norman and several other dignitaries attended the ceremony at the Kalinga Stadium.

PRAFULLA DAS