Bhubaneswar: Indian Hockey team, which won a bronze at the recently concluded Paris Olympics 2024, was accorded a rousing welcome when it reached Bhubaneswar on Wednesday.
A large number of people, including sports enthusiasts, thronged the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) to have a glimpse of the hockey players and greet them. The team members were given a grand welcome as them came out of the airport.
Soon after arrival here, the members of the hockey team held a mega roadshow from BPIA to Kalinga Stadium in the state capital.
Elaborate arrangements were made for the spectacular roadshow as the players moved in a special bus towards Kalinga Stadium. Hundreds of motorcyclists also joined the roadshow cheering the jubilant players.
Odisha’s rich culture and heritage was also showcased during the roadshow, while a large number of people lined up on both sides of the road to greet the hockey players. The team members also reciprocated by waving at the cheering crowd.
While traditional music and drum beats rent the air, artists performed Chhau, Ghumura and different forms of tribal dance forms while greeting the hockey players.
The members of the Hockey team are slated to be felicitated by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi later in the afternoon for their achievement in Paris.
Officials said that the hockey team has made India proud by winning the second consecutive Olympic medal and added that the victory has inspired millions of young athletes.
Odisha has played a crucial role in the resurgence of Indian hockey since stepping in as the official sponsor of the Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams in 2018 when the sport struggled financially following Sahara’s exit as the primary sponsor. The previous BJD government committed a significant investment in hockey with a deal worth Rs 120 crore that was later extended by another ten years, ensuring continued support until 2033. The sponsorship was further extended to 2036 by the Mohan Majhi government, which took charge in June, underlining the state’s long-term commitment to the sport.
