(Hockey is not India’s national game. In 2012 the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs declared that India does not have a game that has been officially designated as its national game)
The 14th Hockey World Cup begins today in Odisha, Bhubaneswar. The opening ceremony held on Tuesday, Nov 27 witnessed participation by Bollywood top celebrities like Shahrukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit.
The Odisha government has invested over Rs 100 crore for beautifying the city and to keep the tourist entertained during their stay.
India is hosting the world cup for the third time after 1982 (Bombay) and 2010 (Delhi). India won the last world cup way back in 1975 and since then never managed to reach semi-finals in the world cup tournaments. All hopes are pinned on the 14th World Cup, wishing India would lift the cup after 43 years.
The Men’s Hockey World Cup is an international field hockey competition by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). Started in 1971, it is held once in four years.
Meet team India:
Manpreet Singh (Captain), Age: 26, Position: Midfielder
Chinglensana Singh (vice-captain), Age:26, Position: Midfielder
Krishan B Pathak, Age: 21, Goal Keeper
PR Sreejesh, Age:30, Position: Goal Keeper
Amit Rohidas, Age:25, Position: Defender
Birendra Lakra, Age: 28, Position: Defender
Kothajit Singh Khadangbam, Age: 26, Position: Defender
Harmanpreet Singh, Age: 22, Position: Defender
Surender Kumar, Age: 24, Position: Defender
Varun Kumar, Age: 23, Position: Defender
Hardik Singh, Age: 20, Position: Midfielder
Nilakanta Sharma, Age:23, Position: Midfielder
Sumit Kumar, Age:21, Position:Midfielder
Akashdeep Singh, Age:23, Position:Forward
Dilpreet Singh, Age: 19, Position: Forward
Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Age:24, Position:Forward
Mandip Singh, Age:23, Position: Forward
Simranjeet Singh, Age:21, Position: Forward
16 countries participating in this world cup.
Match Schedule:
Pics Source: Twitter
Content Source: TOI, Wikipedia