Rohan Chowdhury, Rahul Giri. 13, January, 2023, Rourkela
It was around 3 pm that we reached the stadium, expecting to get ample time to do set up for the build-up. The first match of the day at Birsa Munda Stadium was between England and Wales, and we didn’t expect a fan-packed stadium for that clash. Boy, were we wrong!
The moment we reached the stadium ‘chowk’ we felt the buzz! Traffic got intense with roads blocked. We had to walk the last five hundred metres to the stadium gate.
Fans screaming “India India” and piling up to buy jerseys and getting their faces painted was a scene much known to me outside of Salt Lake Stadium for a Derby Match or outside Eden Gardens for an India match. But this was certainly a craze much now to me and my colleague, Rahul. And we enjoyed it to the fullest.
Came back to reality! We came as reporters.
Mad scenes of celebration as India start campaign in style!!
RevSportz report from Birsa Munda Stadium, Rourkela!@Limca_Official @BoriaMajumdar @TheRohan22 @TheHockeyIndia #HockeyWorldCup2023 #HockeyIndia #HockeyComesHome #HockeyWorldCup pic.twitter.com/RuXTnqlArs— RevSportz (@RevSportz) January 13, 2023
Over the years you see reporters building-up the game before it starts and it was our turn to do so. Everything has its first and that experience is unique! And what an event to do it as an accredited reporter, the campaign opener for team India, in the Hockey Word Cup. It was amazing!
The view of the ground from the press box feels different.
The crowd support was top notch, and it the fans didn’t disappoint as the first match was also packed up!
India’s match started and there was no moment when the buzz dipped. Everytime the ball was being dribbled to the Spanish goal or even a great block, the crowd went berserk. The support was tremendous, indeed the 12th man for India.
Every praise on the facilities at Birsa Munda Stadium, is less. It is one such asset of our country that will make us proud in front of the World, and the World is experiencing it to the fullest. The fireworks, light show, and the DJ added to the ambience.
Coming to the game, it was a comfortable win for team India against a fairly inexperienced Spanish side. The first goal from the local boy Amit Rohidas made the Rourkela crowd go crazy, and what a moment it was for Amit. The second one from Hardik Singh was enough for Team India to seal the deal as they head on to the next match against England on January 15th.