Mumbai-born Belgian in Steel City to cheer for WC champs – Times of India

ROURKELA: Belgian fan Kris Wijnants(49), who was born in Mumbai, cheered for his side in Birsa Munda Stadium here on Friday as Belgium, defending champions, thrashed Japan 7-1 in their last Pool B match of men’s hockey World Cup.
“This stadium is absolutely beautiful. I enjoyed watching the match between Belgium and Japan in which our side won comfortably. I also saw the other three matches on Friday.”
Kris said he was born in Andheri (West) on March 20, 1973. He and his elder sister were placed in orphanage in Mumbai but a Belgian couple Hilda Linaer and Guido Wijnants adopted them in 1976 and named them Kris and Uma. Kris studied economics and specialised in marketing. He is now working as project manager and team leader in a leading bank in Belgium and lives in Melkwezer. He said he visits Mumbai every two years. Uma is working as a director at Aid to the Church in Need in Leuven.
Kris flew from Brussels to Mumbai and reached Bhubaneswar on January 13 and saw two matches of Belgium there. Chris reached Rourkela on January 19 by train and put up in a hotel here.
Kris suffered a massive brain stroke in October 2020 after which his left side became paralysed. He remained in hospital for 14 months. He recuperated but still requires physiotherapy. But his love for hockey brought him to Bhubaneswar and Rourkela.
“I like the play of our goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch very much. I hope to see India and Belgium play the World Cup final. If Belgium lifts the trophy, I will be very happy but if India wins, I would not mind as I was born in this country,” Kris said.
He visited Chilika lake and Nandankanan zoo during his stay in Bhubaneswar. “I also met a friend Sukanya Kar in Bhubaneswar. I know Sukanya since I met her in Paris,” Kris said.