Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday felicitated the Indian Men’s Hockey team, which won bronze medal at the recently-held Paris Olympics 2024.
The CM felicitated the team members at a grand celebration – Vijay Utsav – held at the iconic Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar for their remarkable achievement.
The Indian hockey team, captained by Harmanpreet Singh and featuring star player from Odisha Amit Rohidas, clinched the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics with a decisive victory over Spain.
The celebrations kicked off with a spectacular roadshow from Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) to Kalinga Stadium after the arrival of the players in Bhubaneswar. Thousands of people and hundreds of folk artists joined the roadshow as the team members were accorded a rousing welcome.
As Sports Minister Suryavanshi Suraj put it, the roadshow was a real testament to the state’s unwavering support for hockey and its deep connection with the sport.
As part of the state government’s efforts to encourage hockey players, the Chief Minister has announced Rs 15 lakh for each team member, Rs 10 lakhs for each support staff, Rs 50 lakhs for P R Sreejesh, and Rs four crore for Odisha’s hockey star, Amit Rohidas.
The government is focusing on enhancing grassroots-level infrastructure to promote sports across the state. This strategic move aligns with the Chief Minister’s vision to build a robust sports ecosystem and elevate the overall sports culture in the state.
Building upon the commitment to hockey, CM Majhi has announced a further extension of Odisha’s sponsorship of Indian hockey until 2036 which aligns with the state’s ambitious ‘Vision Odisha: 2036,’ which celebrates Odisha’s centenary.
“The celebration not only honours our athletes’ remarkable achievements but also underscores Odisha government’s pivotal role in advancing sports both nationally and internationally,” said the Sports Minister.
The government reaffirms its focus on nurturing talent and building a robust sports infrastructure for the future from the grassroots level, he said.
