Naveen Patnaik announces further 10 years sponsorship for the Indian Hockey teams
Bhubaneswar, Aug 17: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, today felicitated the Indian national Hockey teams that scripted history, with their brilliant performance at the Tokyo Olympics, at a ceremony befitting the Olympic hockey heroes.
In recognition of their achievement and their potential to be the top teams in the world, Chief Minister announced that Odisha will continue to sponsor Indian Hockey teams, for another 10 years.
Chief
Minister
felicitated
Captain
Rani
Rampal
and
women's
team
and
also
felicitated
the
inspirational
Captain,
Manpreet
Singh
and
men's
team
for
bagging
a
bronze
which
was
no
less
than
a
gold
for
India.
Each player was awarded Rs 10 Lakh and each support staff was awarded Rs 5 lakhs by the Chief Minister.
As a token of regards and appreciation, each team gifted a framed Jersey autographed by the players to the Chief Minister.
Addressing
the
gathering,
Chief
Minister
Naveen
Patnaik,
said,
"You
made
us
all
so
proud
with
your
spirited
fight
at
Tokyo.
These
are
deeply
emotional
moments
for
India
to
witness
the
revival
of
Indian
Hockey.
For
nearly
four
decades,
the
hockey
fans
have
been
yearning
to
see
India
grab
a
medal
at
the
Olympics.
"The way the entire country was glued to the screens to watch the Hockey teams' matches, it is quite evident there is something more to hockey than just sports. In the back ground of the Covid pandemic, it is remarkable that our teams have worked so hard in spite of all challenges and emerged victorious. In these crisis times, the teams have brought smiles on the faces of crores of Indians. We all should be thankful to our boys and girls, the CM added.
Patnaik said , We, in Odisha, are elated that our partnership with Hockey India has led to this great achievement for the country. I believe, Odisha and Hockey are destined to become synonymous.
We will continue our partnership with Hockey India. Odisha will support the Indian Hockey teams for 10 more years. This will herald a new era of Indian Hockey and bring back the glory to the nation."
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, also gave away 13 awards. In the men's team, Harmanpreet Singh won the Player with maximum number of goals scored, PR Sreejesh won the Player with the maximum number of goals saved, Nilakanta Sharma won the Player with maximum number of goal assists, Rupinder Pal Singh won the Player with maximum number of defensive tackles and Harmanpreet Singh & Amit Rohidas for Player with maximum interceptions in the midfield.
In the Women's team, Gurjit Kaur and Vandana Katariya won the Player with maximum number of goals scored, Savita Punia won the Player with the maximum number of goals saved, Rani Rampal and Navneet Kaur jointly won the Player with maximum number of goal assists, Deep Grace Ekka won the Player with maximum number of defensive tackles, and P Sushila Chanu for Player with maximum interceptions in the midfield.
Each were awarded Rs 5 lakhs. President, Indian Olympic Association, Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra who hasplayed a key role in the development of Olympic sports and sportspersons and in the revival of hockey in India and the prominence of Hockey around the globe was also felicitated by the Chief Minister.
He also felicitated Odia doctor, Col. (DR). Bibhu Kalyan Nayak who was appointed as the first Indian FIH Medical Officer for Tokyo Olympics and awarded him Rs 5 Lakhs at the ceremony.
Over
the
last
decade,
Hockey
India
has
played
a
pivotal
role
in
building
a
strong
representation
for
India
leading
the
teams
to
put
up
an
incredible
performance
at
the
Tokyo
Olympics
and
command
top
positions
at
the
FIH
ranking.
And
for
this
Chief
Minister
Patnaik
felicitated
President,
Hockey
India,
Gyanendro
Ningombam,
Secretary
General,
Hockey
India,
Rajinder
Singh,
CEO,
Hockey
India,
Elena
Norman
and
the
entire
Hockey
India
staff
and
awarded
Rs.
50
Lakhs
to
the
Federation.
Speaking at the felicitation, President, Indian Olympic Association, Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra, said, "I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Hon'ble Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and the people of Odisha for showing their love and affection for the sport of hockey and helping our teams achieve the Olympic dream for India.
With your continued support, Indian Hockey will look to build on the achievements from the Tokyo Olympics, and continue this steady rise to take Indian hockey back to the elite level where it belongs."
He also felicitated the Chief Minister and other dignitaries for their unconditional support to Hockey and the national teams.
President, Hockey India, Gyanendro Ningombam, said, "This is indeed a jubilant time for Indian Hockey with both our men and women's hockey teams achieving historic results at the Tokyo Olympics.
In 2009, when Hockey India was formed, the primary aim of the federation was to bring back the glory days for hockey in the country.
This aim could not have been attained but for the unconditional support of Odisha State Government under the leadership of the Hon'ble Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik ji who is himself a passionate lover of the sport.
We are very grateful for all the support Odisha State Government has provided for hockey these past few years.
On behalf of Hockey India, I extend my sincere thanks to the Hon'ble Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik ji and all the Departments of the Odisha State Government."
Captain of the national women's hockey team, Rani, said, "The team and I are very happy to be present here today as we wish to express our heartfelt thanks to the Odisha State Government for supporting our team. Our team is always made to feel so welcome when we come here that Odisha feels very much like the home of Indian hockey now."
Everyone knows that Odisha has sponsored and supported the women's and men's teams in the last few years, but very few people know that the people of Odisha have been a constant source of motivation and encouragement for our team. Just like Odisha is our home, the people of Odisha are like our own family she added.
Captain of the men's team, Manpreet Singh, shared, "It feels good to be back here in Odisha, the place we call our home away from home, and now one of the biggest reasons behind our success at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
This Bronze Medal may have been won by us as players, but in truth, it equally belongs to India, a gift from the Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaikji whose vision and constant encouragement helped us achieve our dream of winning an Olympic medal after 41 years.
He
is
a
pillar
of
support
for
each
one
of
us,
and
this
dream
wouldn't
be
possible
to
achieve
without
his
guidance
and
continued
support.
Everyone
here,
has
a
special
love
for
hockey,
and
it's
an
honour
to
share
that
same
love
with
them."
Earlier
in
the
day,
the
teams
arrived
to
a
rousing
welcome
at
the
airport
by
fans
and
sportspersons
alike.
The
atmosphere
was
euphoric
with
fanfare,
celebrations
and
pride.
They
were
received
by
Hon'ble
Minister
for
Sports
and
Youth
Services,
Government
of
Odisha,
Tusharkanti
Behera,
Chairman
Odisha
Hockey
promotion
council
Dilip
Tirkey,
Commissioner-cum-Secretary,
Sports
and
Youth
Services,
Government
ofOdisha,
R.
Vineel
Krishna
and
Chairman