Odisha govt extends sponsorship of Indian hockey teams for 10 more years

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday announced that the Odisha government would continue to sponsor the Indian men and hockey teams for another 10 years.

CM made the announcement during the felicitation ceremony of the Indian national Hockey teams that scripted history with their brilliant performance at the Tokyo Olympics.

'We, in Odisha, are elated that our partnership with Hockey India has led to this great achievement for the country. I believe, Odisha and Hockey are destined to become synonymous,' said Patnaik.

'We will continue our partnership with Hockey India. Odisha will support the Indian Hockey teams for 10 more years. This will herald a new era of Indian Hockey and bring back the glory to the nation,' he added.

The Chief Minister felicitated captain Rani Rampal and women’s team and also felicitated the inspirational captain Manpreet Singh and men’s team for bagging a bronze which was no less than a gold for India.

Each player was awarded Rs 10 Lakh and each support staff was awarded Rs 5 lakhs by the Chief Minister.

As a token of regards and appreciation, each team gifted a framed Jersey autographed by the players to the Chief Minister.

'You made us all so proud with your spirited fight at Tokyo. These are deeply emotional moments for India to witness the revival of Indian hockey. For nearly four decades, hockey fans have been yearning to see India grab a medal at the Olympics.

The way the entire country was glued to the screens to watch the Hockey teams’ matches, it is quite evident there is something more to hockey than just sports,' said Odisha CM.

“In the background of the Covid pandemic, it is remarkable that our teams have worked so hard in spite of all challenges and emerged victorious. In these crisis times, the teams have brought smiles on the faces of crores of Indians. We all should be thankful to our boys and girls,' he added.

CM Patnaik, also gave away 13 awards.

In the men’s team, Harmanpreet Singh won the award for Player with maximum number of goals scored, PR Sreejesh won the Player with the maximum number of goals saved.

Nilakanta Sharma won the prize for being the Player with maximum number of goal assists, Rupinder Pal Singh won the Player with maximum number of defensive tackles and Harmanpreet Singh & Amit Rohidas for Player with maximum interceptions in the midfield.

In the women’s team, Gurjit Kaur and Vandana Katariya won the award for being the Player with maximum number of goals scored while Savita Punia won the Player with the maximum number of goals saved.

Rani Rampal and Navneet Kaur jointly won the award for being the Player with maximum number of goal assists, Deep Grace Ekka won the Player with maximum number of defensive tackles, and P Sushila Chanu for Player with maximum interceptions in the midfield.

Each players were awarded Rs 5 lakhs.

President, Indian Olympic Association, Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra who has played a key role in the development of Olympic sports and sportspersons and in the revival of hockey in India and the prominence of Hockey around the globe was also felicitated by the Chief Minister.

He also felicitated Odia doctor, Col. (DR). Bibhu Kalyan Nayak who was appointed as the first Indian FIH Medical Officer for Tokyo Olympics and awarded him Rs 5 Lakhs at the ceremony.

Over the last decade, Hockey India has played a pivotal role in building a strong representation for India leading the teams to put up an incredible performance at the Tokyo Olympics and command top positions at the FIH ranking.

Chief Minister Patnaik also felicitated President, Hockey India, Gyanendro Ningombam, Secretary General, Hockey India, Rajinder Singh, CEO, Hockey India, Elena Norman and the entire Hockey India staff and awarded Rs 50 Lakhs to the federation for playing a pivotal role in building a strong representation for India, leading the teams to put up an incredible performance at the Tokyo Olympics and command top positions at the FIH ranking.

'I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik Ji and the people of Odisha for showing their love and affection for the sport of hockey and helping our teams achieve the Olympic dream for India,' said IOA president Batra.

'With your continued support, Indian Hockey will look to build on the achievements from the Tokyo Olympics, and continue this steady rise to take Indian hockey back to the elite level where it belongs,' he added.

He also felicitated the Chief Minister and other dignitaries for their unconditional support to Hockey and the national teams.

Meanwhile, captain of the national women’s hockey team Rani Rampal thanked Odisha government for their support.

'The team and I are very happy to be present here today as we wish to express our heartfelt thanks to the Odisha State Government for supporting our team. Our team is always made to feel so welcome when we come here that Odisha feels very much like the home of Indian hockey now,' she said.

'Everyone knows that Odisha has sponsored and supported the women's and men's teams in the last few years, but very few people know that the people of Odisha have been a constant source of motivation and encouragement for our team. Just like Odisha is our home, the people of Odisha are like our own family,' she added.

Captain of the men’s team Manpreet Singh called Odisha 'home away from home'.

'It feels good to be back here in Odisha, the place we call our home away from home, and now one of the biggest reasons behind our success at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

This Bronze Medal may have been won by us as players, but in truth, it equally belongs to India, a gift from the Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaikji whose vision and constant encouragement helped us achieve our dream of winning an Olympic medal after 41 years,' he said.

'He is a pillar of support for each one of us, and this dream wouldn't be possible to achieve without his guidance and continued support. Everyone here, has a special love for hockey, and it's an honour to share that same love with them,' he added.

Before the ceremony, the teams arrived to a rousing welcome at the airport by fans and sportspersons alike.

They were received by Minister for Sports and Youth Services, Government of Odisha, Tusharkanti Behera, Chairman of Odisha Hockey promotion council Dilip Tirkey, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Sports and Youth Services, Government of Odisha, R. Vineel Krishna. (UNI)