Why states other than Odisha haven’t hosted international hockey in a long time | Hockey News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: When the 2014 hockey Champions Trophy was hosted in the Odisha capital of Bhubaneswar, the Kalinga Stadium was a sight to behold. Beelines for tickets at the box office outside the stadium and not a place to even stand inside during India matches was something hockey stadia across India hadn’t witnessed for a long time, with the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games and the 2016 Junior World Cup in Lucknow perhaps being the only exceptions. It was Odisha’s handshake with Indian hockey, a long one, that only grew stronger over the ensuing years — to the point that the state bought Hockey India League franchise Kalinga Lancers and then did the unthinkable by sponsoring the Indian men’s and women’s teams.
The first of those ‘sponsorship’ hugs between Hockey India and the state of Odisha in 2018 was a five year commitment. It warmed up so nicely that an extension of 10 years, until 2033, was announced even before the previous five-year contract period was over.
Like Bhubaneswhar in 2014, international hockey in India travelled to three other new venues over the next two years: Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh for the 2015 Test series against Australia, Raipur in Chhattisgarh for the FIH Hockey World League Final and then to Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh for the 2016 Junior World Cup, which turned out to be India’s historic second triumph in the tournament.

(Hockey India Photo)
Since then, or precisely since Odisha stepped forward to sponsor the national teams, the state of mines and minerals has managed to enjoy exclusivity when it comes to hosting international hockey matches in India, including all FIH Pro League fixtures, the 2018 men’s World Cup and also the upcoming 2023 men’s World Cup.
Many reckon it’s part of the perks that come along with being a sponsor of the national teams and filling the national federation’s coffers with crores. But Odisha’s rich hockey history in Sundergarh, Rourkela and the tribal belt, producing international stars regularly in both men’s and women’s hockey, has also had a role to play in the state’s all-out support. It’s also spread across other sports, with franchises in the Indian Super League (football) and Ultimate Kho Kho also owned by the state.
But that doesn’t become reason enough to assume that tournaments of eminence, in this case India’s international hockey fixtures, will remain confined to Odisha because of its unmatched support.
More recently, in 2021, when India won the hosting rights for a second consecutive men’s World Cup, voices in Europe particularly questioned a fourth World Cup overall, and second in a row in Odisha, being awarded to India. Even more recently, when the upcoming FIH Pro League matches were also awarded to Odisha once again, Indian fans too started asking why a nation so rich in hockey history in many parts of the country has stopped seeing international hockey being played in states other than Odisha.

Are the state federations not showing enough interest or are they getting the cold shoulder from Hockey India when it comes to selecting a host city? Is Odisha getting preferential treatment because of the money it has invested? Or is it that other states can no longer match Odisha’s infrastructure for hockey? Places like Delhi and Mohali in Punjab would disagree, with venues like the Major Dhyanchand National Stadium and the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium, respectively, at their disposal. Or is it that the hockey fan-base in Odisha, that has outgrown those in other places, is killing the interest of state associations as well? Are there no sponsors for hockey in states other than Odisha?
The list of questions is unending. And with the current sorry state of affairs in India’s hockey administration, where the national and many state bodies have been forced by the courts to put their house in order, it might take a while before any talks on hosting international matches at other venues can even be initiated.
In an effort to answer some of the questions on that never-ending list, TimesofIndia.com reached out to some of the other state federations to find out their views on whether international hockey can make a comeback at venues across India, like before.

(Twitter Photo)
The following are quotes given to TimesofIndia.com by hockey federation officials of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi:
Hitesh Jain
President, Hockey Maharashtra
“One reason is other states (apart from Odisha) need to revamp the infrastructure…Then, if you have the infrastructure but no audience, there is no encouragement for the games. Odisha comes up with a full house, but in Mumbai, when I attended the Hockey India League, one could not see the audience coming.
Basically, my view is we have to create infrastructure (of international standards) in 7 or 8 places. For example, in Pune, for an HIL game, we used to see an audience in thousands, who are hockey lovers. So we have to identify venues where there are hockey lovers, for example, Punjab. There are pockets in Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Lucknow, Odisha. I think in Hyderabad and Lucknow also there is a very good demand and response for hockey.
Second, the commitment of sponsors. Odisha has supported hockey wholeheartedly. If the other states are also ready to support, then I don’t see any reason why it (international tournaments) can’t go to different venues in India.
In fact, Hockey India did convey in the past that we must create support and infrastructure. You have to develop an ecosystem, which means you have to scout players at an early age, develop interest in the audience, and create a carnival-like atmosphere. We need a little out-of-the-box approach.”
AB Subbaiah
General Secretary, Hockey Karnataka
“To host any international matches, we should have the right kind of infrastructure. Most of the centres we have in Karnataka and other major cities, they have only the ground (pitch). That is the problem, because it (KSHA Hockey Stadium) is in the centre, heart of the city. Space is a constraint. Test matches we can host. But space for any (multi-team) tournament (is a problem).
Also, the present turf is five years (old). Before this, it (the turf) was there for seven years. Moreover, the changing rooms, telecast room, doctor’s room, dope-test room, all these are lacking because one side is completely used for club facilities and all that. For a tournament, we cannot vacate and take that to accoomodate all this.
Bhubaneswar is an exception because a lot of space was there (at the Kalinga Stadium) and two grounds (pitches) were established. Infrastructure there is world class. That’s the advantage they have for holding the top-level FIH tournaments. We are trying to raise our standard, but it is not up the mark (yet).
If you are continuously having international tournaments, then that (cost of raising and maintaining the infrastructure) can be sustained. Otherwise…you can’t maintain the whole stadium, the turf has to be replaced every 2-3 years…so there are a lot of constraints for many associations.
We hosted the (2021) Khelo India University Games, we got our facilities upgraded (for that), but still to host an international (hockey) tournament, we need more space.
If you make any other stadium in the outskirts, then you won’t get the spectators. This stadium (KSHA Hockey Stadium) is in the ideal place, but the only thing is a lack of space…We will impress upon the present government. We had already given (our requirements) to the last government, but they upgraded little. They might do it slowly, but there’s always a question mark.”
Sekar J Manoharan
President, Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu
“For the last 15 years, we couldn’t host any international event. We are planning to do a league in Chennai once the Hockey India problems are over. We want to host some international events in Chennai. We are planning for it. Our team has talked about this matter.
After October, once the Hockey India elections are over, we will approach Hockey India.
Now our government is also very much interested. They have already told (us) ‘if any international event is available (to host), you take it’. The Chief Minister and the Sports Minister have had discussion on this matter, and they are also interested.”
RP Singh
General Secretary, Uttar Pradesh Hockey
“Whenever Hockey India hosts an international tournament, they contact the state federations. Whichever state bids or is interested, is considered. So in future if any such proposal comes to us, Uttar Pradesh too can host (an international tournament).
Odisha ne hockey ko godd liya hua hai (Odisha is fostering hockey), so the tournaments are happening there. But it’s not like that UP won’t do it….we have all the facilities.
Hockey India should think about it (hosting international hockey matches at all places); they should approach other states. If people come to watch (at the stadium at other centres), then definitely it should happen. Development should be overall. If tournaments happen in other states as well, then hockey benefits, and the younger generation feels connected to the sport.
We haven’t been approached so far (to host Pro League matches).”
Mahesh Dayal
General Secretary, Delhi Hockey
The Odisha government puts a lot of focus on hockey, infrastructure and facilities-wise. The sponsorship they have given to Hockey India (by sponsoring the national teams) is not a small thing.
In Delhi, people don’t like hockey (now). It’s no longer a mass game here…Other than cricket, you don’t get a crowd to watch any other sport here…Shivaji Stadium is one venue that is appropriate, at a centralised location. But there, the NDMC (New Delhi Municipal Corporation) has control, they have put up a lot of hurdles. As far as the National Stadium is concerned, there is no problem there.
But spectators kahan se laayein (from where do we get the spectators)? Log aate hi nahi hain (people don’t come at all)…Players enjoy only when there are packed stands, but there is no crowd, then who will come? What can Hockey India do in this and what can Sports Authority of India do?
Hosting a tournament is like you want to marry off your child and you look for a banquet hall that is more convenient, there is no parking issue, there are no legal hurdles, cost-effective, etc. You will select that banquet. So hosting a tournament is like hosting a marriage. And the Odisha government facilitates so much.
We are a unit of Hockey India. We are always ready (if Hockey India asks). We have had the World Cup as well (in the past) in Delhi. But I am again telling you, there is no hockey circle in Delhi these days.”
It seems that most other states have resigned themselves to the fact that they can’t match the support and love for hockey that the Odisha government and fans have shown over the last 8 years. The sport watching public also has a big role to play in this. Hockey at one time was the most popular sport in the country. If fans across the country begin to show more interest in this sport, which has earned India as many as 12 Olympic medals including 8 gold as well as 3 World Cup medals including a title win in 1975, states other than Odisha will have the motivation required to invest more in hockey and make it a pan-India sport once again.