India’s Hockey team captain, Harmanpreet Singh sheds light on Odisha’s crazy atmosphere ahead of the World Cup
Indian Hockey: (Image Source: Twitter)
India’s Hockey Team captain, Harmanpreet Singh has expressed his excitement about playing the upcoming Hockey World Cup at home. Notably, the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 is scheduled to be played in Odisha, India.
Only 10 days are left for the tournament to begin and the team India have arrived in the city. He, recently, shed light on the mood of the dressing room ahead of the tournament.
“There is anticipation and excitement in equal measure,” expressed Harmanpreet in a statement. “As the team bus entered the Rourkela city and drove closer to the hockey facility, there were thousands of fans who thronged the streets with tri-colour flags and cheered for us. We were simply speechless by the gesture, and it was then that we actually got a sense of how much hockey means to the people of this region,” exclaimed the ace dragflicker.
The expectations from the Indian team are pretty high, especially, after witnessing them deliver a heart-warming performance at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2022, where they bagged a bronze medal after waiting for a period of 41 years.
“After the World Cup in Kalinga Hockey Stadium in 2018, every single participating team went back with great memories and it was the spectators, the incredible venue, the hospitality, the way everything was executed that made the previous World Cup so special for players. In Rourkela, the atmosphere will be doubly exhilarating.” Harmanpreet highlighted.
“There is already a festive atmosphere here in Rourkela and Bhubaneswar. It’s been almost a week since we arrived here and the energy is incredible.” said Amit Rohidas, the Vice Captain of the team who hails from the Sundergarh region.
Notably, the international teams will be arriving in India from 4th January 2022. Netherlands will be the first one to arrive on Wednesday. India and Odisha will be welcoming the teams to the state, which loves the sport.
“After the World Cup in Kalinga Hockey Stadium in 2018, every single participating team went back with great memories and it was the spectators, the incredible venue, the hospitality, the way everything was executed that made the previous World Cup so special for players. In Rourkela, the atmosphere will be doubly exhilarating.” Harmanpreet highlighted.
