Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday felicitated the India Under-18 girls’ team and presented them a cash award of Rs 5 lakh for winning silver medal at the Asia Rugby Under-18 Girls’ Rugby Sevens Championship 2021 held at Tashkent in Uzbekistan.
There were three Odia girls — Tarulata Naik, Mama Naik and Nirmalya Rout — in the Indian team which entered the final before losing a close final to the UAE.
Interacting with all players, the chief minister told them, “You played brilliantly and narrowly missed the gold. We are very proud of this achievement. You have shown grit, speed, skill and fierce determination. I am sure this is the start of a new journey in the coming years, you all will make history.”
The team members thanked Naveen for his constant support to sports, particularly rugby.
State Sports minister Tusharkanti Behera was present at the felicitation ceremony.
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