Bhubaneswar: Odisha hockey players, who represented Indian team in the Tokyo Olympics, expressed their gratitude to chief minister Naveen Patnaik for his patronisation to the game which helped them earn laurels for the country.
Speaking to media persons after a felicitation function organised in their honour at Kalinga Stadium, here on Wednesday, vice-captain of the men’s hockey team Birendra Lakra said it was nothing less than dream come true for them.
“The credit for all the glory goes to hard work and persistence of the players. But the support extended by the Odisha government in providing infrastructure for training and practice stands out,” he said.
Not long back, hockey had turned an almost untouchable game for the stakeholders. It was chief minister Naveen Patnaik who came forward to extend patronisation and provide sponsorship of the state government.
“Now, Odisha is no more an unknown and neglected state. It has got its due position in the international sports, particularly after our performance in the Olympics,” said Amit Rohidas, another Olympian from the state.
“Though the team had prepared for gold medal and was almost on its way to it, we are happy to have secured the bronze medal. It is a matter of great satisfaction that Indian hockey team could bag a medal in the Olympics after 41 years,” he added.
Deep Grace Ekka and Namita Toppo, the two players from Odisha who were part of Indian women hockey team in the Olympics, expressed their happiness over the support from Odisha government.
They thanked the chief minister for his contribution and hoped that he would continue it in future. “Though we could not win a medal, the team’s performance till semi-finals will attract the youngsters to take active participation in hockey,” said Ekka.
