Prajna Prasad Sravan Kumar
My Heart Beats For Hockey is not just another hashtag,it’s an emotion, a feeling, a passion that every heart realizes now in Odisha and Bhubaneswar, the capital city in particular. Neither I played hockey even once nor I know the detailed technicalities of the national game.
Still I am chocked with emotions and couldn’t hold on my tears of joy while writing this piece as my city, my state and my India in large is all set to host the International Hockey Federation(FIH)’s 14th edition of Men’s Hockey World Cup 2018.Thousands like me are pumped up to behold the sporting spectacle.
The countdown is almost over. The mascot “Olly” has already been greeted with enthusiasm and fanfare in every nook and corner of the state. The temple town is all set to host the sporting extravaganza and let the people of the country and the world realize the real smartness of the smartest city of India, Bhubaneswar.
Hockey is not just a game, it’s life for the people of Sundargarh, a district in the western part of Odisha. The district has produced maximum number of national players who has toiled themselves on the field to bring laurels for the country. For an enthused primary school student like me in 1994 ,getting to know the on-field heroics of Dhyan Chand, the Wizard of Hockey, India’s ruling the rust in Olympics and our own Michael Kindo through a chapter titled “Hockey” in the syllabus was truly amazing and inspirational.
I was fascinated more by the name Micheal Kindo than the game he played and brought glory. He represented Odisha in the national team and was one of the key players of the 1975 World Cup Winning Team. It will be an icing on the cake to see the members of that team being felicitated by the State Government during the inaugural ceremony of the event. Odisha has genuinely produced world class players of the caliber of MichealKindo, Dillip Tirkey, Ignace Tirkey, PrabodhTirkey and many more. Even in the current Indian sqad led by Manpreet Singh, we have defenders Birendra Lakra and Amit Rohidas from Odisha.
Let’s be optimistic. Hopefully the wait of 43 years will come to an end this time in front of the packed gallery of the iconic Kalinga Stadium. Let the hystericcheer of the fans enhance the already lifted mood of the relatively young Indian side. In this third outing of India as the host of the quadrennial event, all eyes are on the Manpreet Singh led Indian side to emulate the Ajit Pal Singh captained side of 1975. Let this grand event of 16 participating countries be played with true sportsman spirit and fair play.
Let the spirit of Sundargarh spread to each nook and corner of the state and country. Let hockey stick be there in every courtyard, not an article of self-defense, rather as a mark of passion and dedication for the game. Let Kalinga Stadium bring a new dawn for Hockey India and the game truly becomes the national game not just in GK books, but in practice as well.
Let we cheer up for India. Let we cheer up for the game. Let the world know that we are the best hosts in the world. Let the spirit of “AtithiDevo Bhava” be reflected in our thought and action. It’s not only the state administration, but we all are equally responsible for making the event a grand success. Let’s keep the city as vibrant as possible.
Let we be the sensible citizens and maintain the dignity of the state and country and it’s culture. Let the universalism of Jagannath Cult be felt to every foreign national and people from other parts of the country. Let this be a new beginning for the Indian Hockey Juggernaut.Chak De India..!!
