By Subadh Kumar Nayak
Bhubaneswar: The Hockey World Cup-2018 Final was more like ‘Sachin’ than ‘Hockey’ as the enthusiastic crowd at the packed Kalinga Stadium here were shouting ‘Sachin, Sachin,’ the cheers which had inspired the Master Blaster’s scintillating performances during his cricketing career.
After host India failed to make it the semifinals of the mega tournament, it was expected that there will not be much crowd for the semifinals and final of the tournament. However, the stadium was overcrowded than it witnessed during even India’s matches because the special guest of the evening was none other than the legend – Sachin Tendulkar.
“I know that India is out of the tournament. However, I am going to the stadium today not only I love Hockey but also my favourite cricketer and legend Sachin Tendulkar is coming for the Hockey World Cup Final,” said a die-hard fan of Sachin.
From the moment Tendulkar reached the stadium, everyone cheered ‘Sachin, Sachin’ and stood up on their feet to have a glance of the legend. However, the biggest noise came when the God of Cricket walked down to the turf of the stadium.
While some of them were thanking him for coming to Odisha for the Hockey event, others, with placards on their hands, were pleading to take a selfie with him.’
Tendulkar also allowed those who were near to him to take photo with him. Besides, he himself shared a selfie on his twitter handle saying that it was a crazy atmosphere at the Kalinga Stadium, for the Men’s Hockey World Cup! Loving the energy and the passion for hockey in this stunning stadium!
Crazy atmosphere at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar for the Men’s #HWCFinal2018! Loving the energy and the passion for hockey in this stunning stadium! 👏🏼
Kudos to @Naveen_Odisha & @TheHockeyIndia for putting up this world class event! 😃#BELvNED @sports_odisha @FIH_Hockey pic.twitter.com/hZOvGzTkJT
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) December 16, 2018
This apart, the legend while speaking being on the turf during the final match, said “India is the place to be at when it comes to organizing an event like the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018. I am speechless and the atmosphere is incredible.”
“World Cup wouldn’t have been possible without Odisha Government and the Hockey India,” he added.