Bhubaneswar: The men’s and women’s hockey Olympians were given a rousing welcome at the Biju Patnaik International Airport here on Tuesday evening.
Amit Rohidas, Birendra Lakra, Deep Grace Ekka and Namita Toppo were welcomed by Sports and Youth Services Minister Tusharkanti Behera and Commissioner-Cum- Secretary, Sports and Youth Services, Department R Vineel Krishna upon their arrival.
Chairman, Odisha Hockey Promotion Council, Dilip Tirkey and Abhijit Paul of Odisha Olympic Association also welcomed the players at the airport.
While the men’s team rewrote history by winning Bronze in Olympics after 41 years, the women’s team reached semifinals for the first time in the mega sporting event of the world.
The Minister said, “While a dream campaign has come to an, it ushered a new era for hockey and Odisha is proud that its players are forever making their mark in the international platform. This time, they have brought glory not only for their state but the entire nation and we are extremely proud of each one of them. Our Olympians have inspired a generation of young hockey players and Hockey will surely scale greater heights from here on.”
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will be felicitating the four players tomorrow.
Rohidas, the 28-year-old first time Olympian, was hailed for stopping 15 penalty corners. Former Olympian from Odisha, Dilip Tirkey termed Rohidas’ performance at Olympics as brilliant.
Deep Grace Ekka as vice-captain of the Indian women’s team and she too had played a major role in the the games.
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