The upcoming Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 is currently creating much anticipation in the sports world. This tournament, which ranks as a premier competition for hockey outside of the Olympics, is set to unfold in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela between January 13 and 29. To prepare for the event, Odisha’s Chief Minister has proceeded to inaugurate the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela as one of the largest hockey stadiums available to host games.
A Historical Look at the Hockey World Cup
The Hockey World Cup was originally conceived as a joint venture between India and Pakistan in 1969 under the endorsement of the International Hockey Federation (FIH). However, it took 13 years and four editions before the event was hosted in the Indian subcontinent. Originally planned to take place in Pakistan, the first ever tournament in 1971 had to be shifted to Spain owing to political disruptions and security concerns. India was lined up to host the 1975 event, but it was moved to Malaysia due to governance issues. Initially held biannually, the frequency of the tournament was changed to once every four years after 1982, now falling midway through the Olympic cycle. The first winners of the World Cup were Pakistan who beat Spain in the inaugural edition, while the most recent victors are Belgium, who triumphed over the Netherland in the 2018 competition.
The Role of International Hockey Federation (FIH)
FIH, established in 1924, holds the exclusive authority to govern the sport of hockey worldwide. With its headquarters situated in Lausanne, Switzerland, the FIH is recognised by the International Olympic Committee as the ultimate guardian of the sport. The federation’s key responsibility is to manage the major international tournaments of field hockey, with the World Cup being one of the most notable.
UPSC Civil Services Examination: Reflection on Previous Questions (PYQ)
Alongside sports-related events, certain questions related to the Summer Olympics were brought up in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. In the context of the 32nd Summer Olympics held in 2021, candidates were asked about the official motto and the new sports introduced. The official motto was declared as ‘A New World’, while Sport Climbing, Surfing, Skateboarding, Karate and Baseball were the new sports included in the event. Upon examination of these statements, it was found that only the second statement was accurate.