Bhubaneswar: President of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Tayyab Ikram at a meeting with Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi discussed the upcoming international tournaments in the state.
The meeting focused on key initiatives to further develop the sport and the growth of infrastructure. The Chief Minister appreciated the FIH’s unwavering support, particularly during marquee events like the Men’s Hockey World Cup. ”
Odisha has emerged as a global hub for hockey, hosting prestigious tournaments. We are excited to host the upcoming Pro League, and with your support, we hope to bring more world-class events to the state in the future,” he remarked.
Ikram, on his part, lauded the Odisha government’s efforts in promoting the sport and fostering hockey talent through grassroots programs.
The meeting also touched upon future collaborations between FIH and the state government. Both sides expressed a keen interest in athlete development, sports science, and innovative practices that will benefit players and coaches alike. A special emphasis was placed on the promotion of women’s hockey and empowering female athletes, both in Odisha and across India.
Ikram reiterated FIH’s commitment to work closely with Odisha to elevate the global stature of hockey, saying, “Together, FIH and Odisha can create significant benchmarks for the future of hockey development worldwide.”
Hockey India president Dillip Tirkey, Hockey India secretary general Bholanath Singh and principal secretary, Sports and Youth Services department Bhaskar Sharma were also present.