Hockey World CUP: Belgium player Elliot Van Strydonck – It has been only two days, and the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup has already run into its maiden share of controversy. Kicking off the bugle is Belgium player Elliot Van Strydonck, who has expressed his unhappiness over India hosting its third world cup in the last four editions. Van Strydonck also called India hosting the World Cup an unfair call and a shameful decision. The Belgium player comments have stunned the hockey governing body, the FIH. Follow Hockey WC 2023 LIVE updates with InsidesSport.IN
Hockey World CUP: FIH Stunned as player from Belgium calls ‘India as World Cup host UNFAIR’, says ‘3RD WC out of last 4 in India is SHAMEFUL’ Follow LIVE Updates
Notably, India has hosted, three out of the last four World Cups – 2010 in Delhi, 2018 in Odisha and now in 2023 in Odisha again. Netherlands has been the only nation other than India to host the World Cup in 2014.
Belgium player Elliot Van Strydonck has openly criticised FIH’s decision to grant India as World Cup hosts and also called it a regrettable decision. When asked by a Belgium newspaper, the 34-year-old minced no words in stating that the power of money is tiling the decisions in India’s favour.
“It is regrettable that India still hosts such an event. But India is the only country that can fill stadiums with 20,000 seats every day. The atmosphere is guaranteed. In addition, it is the only nation that can count on global sponsors like Hero or Odisha. The choice makes sense financially, but unfair to sporting fairness. The Red Lions have won everything in 4 years. However, the media coverage of hockey remains too limited here in Belgium.” Elliot Van Strydonck said.
One shouldn’t forget that Belgium are the defending World Cup champions in the 2023 FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup. They are in Pool B alongside Germany, Japan and Korea. It would be interesting to see whether Elliot Van Strydonck would stick to his comments if the REDS manage to defend its crown.
When it comes to hosting the event, India has opened its heart for all the hockey lovers around the world.
Hockey World CUP: FIH Stunned as player from Belgium calls ‘India as World Cup host UNFAIR’, says ‘3RD WC out of last 4 in India is SHAMEFUL’ Follow LIVE Updates
𝘼 𝙉𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙏𝙤 𝙍𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧!#HWC2023 Celebrations at #BarabatiStadium was a star-studded affair.
Performances from top B-town celebs, mind-blowing singers & global stars exceeded everyone’s expectations, setting the bar pretty high!#HockeyHaiDilMera #HockeyWorldCup pic.twitter.com/wxVbsrhtkK
— Odisha Sports (@sports_odisha) January 12, 2023
The 15th edition of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup is underway in India. Before the on-field action, a grand opening ceremony was organized by the Odisha government at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. From Bollywood celebrities Ranveer Singh and Disha Patni to overseas pop stars, the opening ceremony was an event to remember for the whole world.
Belgium is one of the favorites, but not the overwhelming favorite, for the 2023 edition. It would be highly appreciative of the 34-year-old Belgian player to focus on their game and not worry about deciding who should host the World Cup. What if India gets to host the FIH event in 2026 too?
Hockey World CUP: FIH Stunned as player from Belgium calls ‘India as World Cup host UNFAIR’, says ‘3RD WC out of last 4 in India is SHAMEFUL’ Follow LIVE Updates
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Odisha, led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, has emerged as the nerve centre of Indian hockey.
As the Men’s World Cup begins in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela, a look at the Sundargarh district reveals the depths of passion that the game elicits.https://t.co/9S1OoFBcrK
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) January 14, 2023
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