CM Announces Cash Reward For Two Men Hockey Players From Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Congratulating the Indian hockey team for winning bronze in 18th Asian Games, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday announced a cash reward of Rs 50 lakh each for the two players, Birendra Lakra and Amit Rohidas, from Odisha.

The Indian men’s team produced a good display of hockey beating Pakistan by 2-1 in the bronze medal match on the final day of Asian Games 2018 played at Jakarta on Saturday. Lakra and Rohidas were defenders in the team line-up.

A midfielder, Lakra had scored the first goal and was instrumental in India’s stupendous victory in the final game of the Olympic Hockey Qualifying Tournament against France this year.

He had earlier represented India in the Test series against South Africa in 2012, the SAAF Games at Dhaka in 2010 and in the Youth Olympics at Sydney in 2009. He was also a part of the team that won the Junior World Cup at Singapore in 2009.

Lakra represented India in Men’s Hockey during the 2012 London Olympics. He was one of the 18-member Indian Men’s team, who took part in the final edition of the prestigious Rabobank Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy in Breda, Netherlands in June 2018. He also participated in the Commonwealth Games and Sultan Azlan Shah Cup this year

Amit Rohidas started playing hockey in his village and joined the Panposh Sports Hostel in Rourkela in 2004 and was selected in the national junior team in 2009.

Rohidas was selected in the senior squad for the 2013 Asia Cup in Ipoh where the Indian team won the silver. He made a comeback to the Indian side in 2017.

He has also been named in the 18-member men’s hockey squad to represent India in the Gold Coast 2018 XXI Commonwealth Games.

Besides, Odisha government has also planned massive financial emoluments for medal-winning sportspersons and their coaches. One of the best in the country, a gold-medalist will receive an award of Rs 3 crores in an individual events and Rs 2 crore in team event while silver medalists will receive 1.5 crore in individuals and one crore in team. Likewise,  75 lakhs and 50 lakhs will given for individual and team bronze medal winners respectively.

Coaches will get 20 per cent of the cash reward.

The Chief Minister has already presented sprinter Dutee Chand with Rs 3 crore for winning two silver medals in the Asiad. One crore each has also been announced for Sunita Lakra, Nmita Toppo, Lilima Minz and Deep Grace Ekka, who are a part of Women’s Hockey Team that won silver in the games.