In a 360 degree campaign that will cover every corner of the country, Odisha government will attempt to inspire every Indian to give their love and support to hockey, which is set to take center stage at the Kalinga Stadium from November 28th to December 16th, 2018 at Bhubaneswar.

The World Cup fever kicks-off with “Heartbeats for Hockey” a movement that attempts to get India behind hockey by way of music, entertainment, fashion, pure sport and panel discussions.

It was launched by unveiling the digital campaign starring the National Hockey Team urging people to pledge their support for the game, saying: “My heart beats for hockey, does yours?”

“We are asking India to give their heart to hockey. And this by way a nationwide outreach where we go to the heartlands of hockey and ask people to come and immortalise their heartbeats by recording them on a specially- designed hockey stick,” explained Nupur Mahajan, brand strategist and creator of the campaign who is working alongside Odisha government as Communication and Strategy Consultant for the Odisha Hockey world cup.

“If your heart beats for hockey,” added Ms Mahajan,“ We urge you to give a few heartbeats to hockey. India’s collective heart beats, gathered over four months, will be presented to the 16 Captains of the World at the Opening Ceremony of the tournament, which is scheduled for 27 November.”

Each time anyone holds the custom-made hockey stick, named ‘Heart Beat’, they record their heart beat as a pledge to support hockey. Over the next few months, Heart Beat will travel across the country through the ‘Hockey Adda’, a curated on-ground discussion platform for hockey players and experts alike with youth in the audience.

Special ‘Heartbeat Canters’ will be sent across select cities in India, encouraging every sports lover to participate in an effort to gather as many heart beats as possible.

Elena Norman, CEO Hockey India, commented, “The trajectory of Hockey as a sport in India has attained a new high given the recent commendable performances of the Indian Hockey Teams. We urge one and all to come forward and support your hockey team during the upcoming Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018.”

The specially designed Hockey stick will be installed and made available at Hockey heartlands in select locations across six cities namely Chandigarh, Bangalore, Mumbai, Bhopal, Rourkela and Imphal.

Additionally, two permanent installations at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar will also be made accessible to the masses. The Heartbeat Canter will cover other Indian cities including Jalandhar, Lucknow, Ranchi, New Delhi, Chennai and other places.