Students get once-in-a-lifetime experience at Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela

Bhubaneswar: It is not just locals from Rourkela or traveling fans who will get to soak in the festive atmosphere at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium.

On Tuesday, 133 students of Tapovan High School in Bhubaneswar were flown into Rourkela to experience the stadium and the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium and the transformed city.

Organized by SC/ST Development Department, along with Department of Sports and Youth Services, Odisha, these children had the unique opportunity to arrive in a special charter flight which landed directly at the Rourkela airbase.

“Although these students are studying in Bhubaneswar, they come from small villages and belong to different tribal areas. Sitting in an aircraft and watching how villages look from above was a memorable and surreal experience for them,” said District Welfare Officer PM Pradhan who received them at the airport.

Pradhan revealed that they were given a tour of the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium. “They sat inside the stadium to get a feel of the facility and then interacted with Hockey India officials who explained to them the aspects of the game and the stadium,” Pradhan said.

After the stadium visit, they were given a tour of the city and shown how Rourkela had been lit up and transformed. “They were taken to IG Park, the Hockey Chowk and various attractive installations that have been decorated for the event which begins on January 13,” Pradhan further added.
The students were thrilled to have this experience which will remain one of their fondest memories of their school days.

A World Cup is much beyond just the fiercely fought matches on the field. It is also about spirit and inclusion. Fans will take back more than just the thrill of the action.

The Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium will host two matches tomorrow, where England will take on Wales, and home team India will take on Spain.