National camps will shift to Birsa Munda Stadium: Dilip Tirkey

Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela

Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey has drawn up an elaborate plan to ensure optimum utilisation of the swanky new Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela. "We are looking at offering the Birsa Munda Stadium first for junior hockey camps and matches and then eventually for the senior India men's and women's camps," Tirkey told mid-day on Wednesday.

Currently, the senior India men's and women's national camps are held at the Sports Authority of India facility in Bangalore. "This is a world-class venue, easily the best in India. So, it's only fair that our national teams get to use it to the fullest. We will also look at conducting various national, state and even district level matches here," added Tirkey.

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The 20,000-capacity Birsa Munda Stadium, built across 15 acres at a cost of around Rs 260cr, also includes a games village replete with a 22-room housing facility, with an adjacent practice pitch, a fitness centre, a swimming pool and six parking lots.