Bhubaneswar: The Hockey Men’s World Cup-2018 opened with a glittering ceremony at the Kalinga Stadium here this evening.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik declared the Men’s Hockey World Cup 2018 open.
“Bhubaneswar is hosting the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018, are you happy?” asked Patnaik while addressing the enthusiastic hockey fans.
“I welcome all the international hockey teams, the distinguished delegates and the hockey officials to Odisha. You’re the guests of 4.5 cr Odia people. I assure you that you will have good stay here and wishing every one of you very best, I declared the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 open,” he ended.
Spectacular fireworks enthralled the audience at the Stadium following the CM’s announcement.
📽️ | Fireworks dazzle the night sky above Kalinga Stadium, a joyous celebration of hockey’s journey to its spiritual home, Odisha.#HWC2018 #Odisha2018 #OdishaHockeyWCInauguration pic.twitter.com/KGoNi1kf2o
— Hockey World Cup 2018 – Host Partner (@sports_odisha) November 27, 2018
However, the major attraction of the opening ceremony was the entrance of Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit.
“Hockey feels like poetry in motion and players are artists when they run with the ball. What sets hockey apart from other sports is it’s an amalgamation of emotions, thoughts and lots of action,” said the King Khan of Bollywood.
Recreating the Chak De India moment with his ‘sattar minute hain tumhare pass…” speech, he left the captains motivated to take on the Hockey Men’s World Cup on a positive note.
Later, the majestic and the most gifted performer of Indian cinema Madhuri Dixit, gave a serene and magical performance along with 1100 artistes highlighting the message of the power of a united world with the theme of “The Earth Song” is ‘Oneness of humanity’.
Addressing the gathering, FIH President Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra said that Hockey couldn’t have had a better audience than Odisha.
Thereafter came AR Rahman, the global musical icon, who enthralled the frenzied crowd with some of his hits including his magnum-opus, ‘Jai Ho’.
The Master ended his performance with the ‘Jai Hind India’, the Official Anthem which he has composed for the Hockey Men’s World Cup.
📽️ | @arrahman‘s rendition of #MaaTujheSalam has moved every soul in the stadium.#HWC2018 #Odisha2018 #OdishaHockeyWCInauguration pic.twitter.com/aS7YLwE6Q3
— Hockey World Cup 2018 – Host Partner (@sports_odisha) November 27, 2018
The Hockey World Cup is all set to take place from November 28 to December 16.
Also Read: AR Rahman Receives KISS Lifetime Achievement Award In Bhubaneswar
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