Mens Hockey World Cup start with a big bang at Kalinga Stadium,India takes on S.Africa in the Opener
Bhubaneswar,November 27
Odisha Chief Minister, Naveen Patnayak, declared the Men’s Hockey World Cup 2018 open in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday amidst fireworks and lighting.
The Group stage matches start from Wednesday with India taking on South Africa in the opener.
The match will start at 7 p.m. The tournament will be played among 16 countries till 16th of next month
The opening ceremony of the biggest hockey event, 14th Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup mesmerised the houseful crowd here at Kalinga Stadium Athletics Complex on Tuesday. Around 1100 performer and the best of Bollywood King Khan Shah Rukh Khan, Dhak Dhak girl Madhuri Dixit and music maestro A R Rahaman shared the opening ceremony stage here. Never imagined the show was cheered every minute by the over enthusiastic audience.
Te celebration started with felicitating1975 hockey world cup winning Indian team. The crowd gave standing ovation to the first and last world cup champions. Captain Ajit Pal Sing greeting the crowd said my heart still beats for hockey and wished all good luck to the Indian team.
Odia actor Sabyasachi Mishra and actress Archita had added local flavour to the show and also performed in the earth songs. Choreographer Shiamak Davar thought the hockey steps to the Bollywood stars on the stage, which cheered by the crowd.
How can anyone forget the inspiring wards “Sattar minute, Sattar minute hai tumhare paas, shayad tumhari zindegi ka Sabse khaas Sattar minute ( You have 70 minute perhaps the most important 70 minute of your life” that as how Kabir Khan of the Chak de India the 2007 Bollywood blockbuster, encouraged the women hockey teams.
Actor Shahrukh Khan said, Sports bring people together and united all. Sports gave us celebrations, sports is the composite of determination, dedication, discipline and leadership.
As the brand ambassador of Odisha Hockey World Cup, Bollywood Barshah Shahrukh Khan delivered an inspirational speech.
The power packed performance of Madhuri Dixit on the song of Earth as a mother in the name of goddess Bhuvaneshwari, loved by all. The massage of one earth and United World was spread through her dance.
To add a divine element to Madhuri’s performance, with more than 150 drones used during the show that equipped with halogen lights and revolved around the stage.
South sensation Rahman performed the World Cup anthem Jai India, which composed by Gulzar. Rahman also performed some of his most memorable songs including Jai Ho. The music video featuring Rahaman and Shahrukh with Jai Hind, Jai India also played.
International Hockey Federation president Dr.Narendra Batra said, “Odisha is the great fan of Hockey, the fans bring back hockey World Cup to Indian. Nothing impossible in the part of Odisha, they renovated the stadium in very short time and this is the third best stadium in the World. For me this is the biggest inaugural ceremony of the World Cup of Hockey forever. Odisha set a new benchmark for the world.
While invite all, CM Naveen Patnaik expressed, “I am extremely happy so as you, for hosting the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup. All of us we are waiting for the 18 day hockey celebration and declared the World Cup opened.BM