Bhubaneswar/New Delhi: It was at Sultan Azlan Shah Cup that the Indian hockey team appeared in its new jersey with Odisha logo in March this year.
This initiative of Odisha government to sponsor the Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams for the next five years, has found an admirer in Vinay Kumar Malhotra, President of All India Council of Sports (AICS).
In a letter to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, he congratulated him for the landmark decision to promote hockey in India.
Malhotra also acknowledged Odisha’s contribution to hockey. “Hockey is more than a sports in Odisha. It is a way of life in the tribal region. Even toddlers start walking with mini hockey sticks and village elders conduct Inter-village Khassi Hockey Championships. Many talented hockey players have been spotted and nurtured through these types of village-level championships and no doubt, Odisha alone has given a number of international hockey players, including Indian hockey captains,” he said.
Considered as a cradle of hockey, the state has produced greats like Dilip Tirkey, Ignace Tirkey and Lazarus Barla. Birendra Lakra, Amit Rohidas, Dipsan Tirkey from Odisha are in the present men’s team while Namita Toppo is a key player in the women’s team.
Praising the initiative, Malhotra said, “The decision will go a long way to further promote hockey in the state and the country. Your decision will also motivate other states to come forward to adopt sports disciplines popular in their respective states.”
He has also written to chief ministers of all States and Union Territories, requesting them identify one priority discipline preferably Olympic discipline popular in their state and adopt the same on the lines of Odisha Government.
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