Bhubaneswar: Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Odisha Assembly Naveen Patnaik on Thursday felicitated some members of the Indian men’s hockey team that won a second consecutive bronze medal at the Olympic Games in Paris earlier this month.
Accompanied by Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey, the team members met the former Chief Minister at his residence, Naveen Niwas, in Bhubaneswar.
Naveen, whose earlier government had been a key promoter of Indian hockey and been sponsoring the national men’s and women’s teams since 2018, hoped for a top podium finish in the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
“Many congratulations from my side to you all. I hope next time you will bring gold,” the LoP said while addressing the players.
Naveen presented the players shawls and silver filigree works depicting Konark wheel. The team members presented him jersey with their signatures.
The players thanked the former CM for supporting hockey when the sport needed it the most. When there was no sponsor hockey, Odisha came forward and gave such a massive sponsorship for hockey, they said.
