Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was on a tweet spree, all of which were related to hockey, on Wednesday. He tweeted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a letter attached, speaking about how hockey deserves to be notified as India’s National Game.
Here’s what he tweeted:
Dear PM @narendramodi ji, you will agree with crores of hockey loving fans of our country that Hockey truly deserves to be notified as our National Game. This will be a fitting tribute to our great players & inspire youngsters #HockeyForNationalGame 1/4 https://t.co/oTGcrHxO9U pic.twitter.com/X7E7jrlWOo
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) June 20, 2018
Prior to this, in the morning, he took to Twitter to congratulate Hockey Women’s team for their impressive performance and win against Spain, while taking pride in brand Odisha displayed big and bright on player’s T-shirt. Among the players in the team, Deep Grace Ekka, Sunita Lakra, Lilima Minz, Namita Toppo and Anupa Barla were from Odisha.
Congratulations to Indian Hockey Women’s team on impressive display of spirit & quality on field to end Spain tour on a high. It’s definitely a great feeling to see ‘brand Odisha’ proudly displayed on our players. Odisha is committed to support #Hockey to rise to greatest heights pic.twitter.com/SP1XZAv5sD
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) June 20, 2018
In February, the state government had announced that it would sponsor Indian hockey teams, both men and women. The deal is estimated to be around Rs 150 crores for five years. Odisha’s name dons the jersey of hockey players.
Naveen further wrote about hockey’s popularity in tribal areas of Odisha and Jharkhand.
Hockey is part of Indian psyche. Cutting across rural, urban divide, it is hugely popular. In tribal areas of #Odisha & Jharkhand, #hockey is a way of life. Crores of Indians rejoice everytime our team wins & National Anthem is played at medal podium #HockeyForNationalGame 4/4
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) June 20, 2018
Reminiscing about India’s first Olympic gold when National Hockey team defeated Great Britain in 1948, he tweeted how inspiring it was.
#Hockey has brought India’s proudest moments. In 1948, a newborn nation India won its first Olympic gold medal when National Hockey team beat Great Britain. It was perhaps poetic justice that young & aspirational India won against its former coloniser #HockeyForNationalGame 3/4
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) June 20, 2018
While reviewing preparations for the Odisha #HWC2018, I was greatly surprised to learn that the sport we have always loved as our National Game has never been officially notified. #HockeyForNationalGame#India4Hockey#Odisha4Hockey 2/4
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) June 20, 2018
While Indian Women’s Hockey team ended their Spain tour on a bright note, Men’s Hockey Team has left for the Rabobank Men’s Hockey Champion Trophy Breda 2018.
This November, Odisha will host the Men’s Hockey World Cup. Last month, CM had launched online ticket sale for the tournament.
