The FIH, the global governing body of hockey, is considering transforming the 2018 edition of the World Cup into a multi-city event, according to Indian news agency IANS.
The report said that the strategy is under consideration in India due to the current infrastructure at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha not being sufficient for a 16-team tournament. The 2018 World Cup will be the first edition to expand from 12 teams.
“If the event will be staged here, there is a need to do much more on infrastructure. We are considering every option. We are also thinking of hosting the events in three or four cities,” FIH representative Kenneth Eric Read said.
“Apart from Bhubaneswar, we will have to consider Chennai and Delhi for organising the tournament,” Read added. “We have not made a final decision regarding it.”
He added: “There have been informal discussions with the Odisha government officials, but there is nothing coming in to the FIH formally. If it comes, FIH will consider the proposal.”
