Rourkela wallows in neglect when Hockey Premier League is to kick off

The much-awaited Hockey Premier League is set to begin soon in Rourkela City of Sundargarh district. Preparations are going on in full swing. Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium gleams with anticipation. However, the piles of garbage surrounding the site reveal a different story.

While a nearby rubbish dump is yet to be relocated, waste piles from the city have grown into unsightly mounds, posing a worrying concern as the mega event approaches.

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Rourkela airport faces a similar situation. Though its exterior is quite appealing, the airport struggles with limited operations, accommodating flights thrice a week rather than daily. This results in frequent cancellations and considerable annoyance for passengers.

“The Hockey World Cup was played and now the Hockey Premier League tournament will be held in Rourkela City. International players, tourists, and hockey enthusiasts from different countries will come to the city. It is a matter of great pride for the city residents. However, local administration should focus on the cleanliness and beautification of it,” a local Satyananda Behera expressed.

“For the image of Rourkela City and the image of our sports hub, it is very important that cleanliness and beautification should be given priority,” Hockey Village vice-president Rabi Ranjan Mohapatra said.

Local officials and legislators have demanded the shifting of the dumping yard before international players arrive for the tournament.

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Promises have been made to tackle these immediate concerns. Local administration underlines commitment to swiftly mitigate these challenges, reinforcing Rourkela’s status as a pivotal centre for hockey in India.

When contacted, Rourkela MLA Sarada Nayak stated, “Recently, I had a discussion with the Collector and we have identified another spot to be used as a dumping yard soon.”

Worth mentioning, the Hockey Premier League is to begin on December 28.