The Biju Patnaik Rural Hockey Championship being organised by the Dilip Tirkey Sports Research and Development Foundation at the Biju Patnaik Hockey Stadium here, was inaugurated on Saturday by Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari.
An emotional Vice-President said he had seen huge gatherings at political and cultural events, but never seen any such big gathering for a sports event and this is perhaps due to the natural environment of the area. He would have been happier if one match could have been held on the day, said Ansari.
In his welcome address, former Indian hockey team captain Dilip Tirkey said there is a need to recognise the tidal wave of passion running through the rural hockey talents in spite and despite of lack of proper training, finance and infrastructure. These hidden talents if given an opportunity can really bring glory and laurels reviving the great triumph of hockey in India.
The day’s event was a historic moment as about 22,000 rural hockey players of 1,458 participating teams from Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh were present in the ground with saffron shorts, white T-shirts and hockey sticks in hand. Perhaps this would be the first time in world sports history where such a huge number players in a single event congregated in a single ground. That is why the representatives of Guinness Book and limca Book of World Records were also present in the ground.
Among others, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Jual Oram and Sports and Youth Services Minister Sudam Marandi greeted the players giving assurance of support for the development of hockey in the tribal districts. The Vice -President felicitated former international hockey players Ignes Tirkey, Ashok Kumar, K Suraya, Birendra lakra and Michel Kindo.
As per information, the tournament will continue till March 2017. After today’s inauguration the league matches will be held at 23 venues in Sundargarh district, two venues in Sambalpur district, one venue in Deogarh district, five venues in Jharkhand and three venues in Chhattisgarh. The semi-final and final will be held here according to the organisers. Total prize money will be Rs 20 lakh and 200 selected players will be facilitated with further coaching free of cost.