The FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 trophy arrived in Bhubaneswar on Sunday after a 21-day-long journey through 13 states and one Union Territory.

The men’s hockey World Cup will begin in the state capital on January 13. Odisha is hosting the event for the second time.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik tweeted: “It is indeed a proud moment for Odisha as we host men’s hockey World Cup for the consecutive time. Let’s all join in the state-wide trophy tour being planned across every district of Odisha to celebrate hockey coming here.”

Receiving the trophy, Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey, who hails from Sundargarh district, popularly known as the cradle of hockey, said: “The trophy has finally reached Bhubaneswar. From tomorrow, the trophy will be taken across various districts in the state.”

He further said: “Our effort is to create enthusiasm among the youths for the sport. The 2018 Hockey World Cup was a grand success in Odisha. This time too, efforts are being made to make the event a great success.”

Talking of the lurking threat of Covid-19, Tirkey said: “We are aware of it. But as of now, no guidelines have been framed. All guidelines will be followed as per the Centre and the Odisha government’s directions during the World Cup.”

On behalf of the Odisha government, Odisha sports and youth services minister Tusharkanti Behera was present at the Biju Patnaik Airport along with Tirkey to receive the trophy.

Later, the trophy was handed over to the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) which has the responsibility of keeping the city spic and span for the upcoming event.

The BMC welcomed the Trophy with much fanfare as folk dancers swayed to the beats of dhols. This has been the traditional Odia way of welcoming guests.

“We are all excited,” said mayor Sulochana Das. Later, the trophy reached the 11th-century Lingaraj Temple. Hundreds of servitors and people gathered to welcome the trophy.

The servitors also chanted the Vedic mantra to welcome the trophy. The World Cup trophy will tour across various districts in the state before being taken to Sundargarh district, the ‘cradle of Indian Hockey’.

It will be displayed at 17 blocks of the Sundargarh district and then arrive in the steel city of Rourkela before finally returning to the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar where the finals will be played on January 29, 2023.