Bhubaneswar : After Sahara’s exit in 2018, the Odisha government took over the reins of sponsorship of the national hockey teams both at junior and senior levels. With this during the felicitation ceremony of Indian men’s and women’s hockey team for their historic performance, Odisha Government declared that the state is going to sponsor Hockey for upcoming 10 years.
Amid all these when everyone cheered the Olympians, Hockey men’s team captain Manpreet Singh praised Odisha’s Chief Minister for the entire support in their painful journey. He exclaimed that their win was a gift presented by Shri Naveen Patnaik to the whole nation.
“This bronze medal may have been won by us as players, but in truth, it equally belongs to India, a gift from the honourable chief minister Shri Naveen Patnaikji whose vision and constant encouragement helped us achieve our dream of winning an Olympic medal after 41 years,” Manpreet said.
“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.”
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Addressing the gathering, 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, 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.”
The last time the Indian team won a medal at the Olympics was in the 1980 Moscow Games, when the country claimed the top position.
“In the background of the COVID pandemic, it is remarkable that our teams have worked so hard in spite of all challenges and emerged victorious,” Patnaik said.
“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.”
He added, “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.”
Notably chief minister also gave away 13 awards.
In the men’s team, Harmanpreet Singh won an award for the maximum number of goals scored, PR Sreejesh was rewarded for the maximum number of goals saved, Nilakanta Sharma won the award for the maximum number of assists.
There were also awards for Rupinder Pal Singh (maximum number of defensive tackles), Harmanpreet Singh and Amit Rohidas (maximum interceptions in the midfield).
In the women’s team, Gurjit Kaur and Vandana Katariya won the award with maximum number of goals scored, while Savita Punia was rewarded for her work at the post.
Rani Rampal and Navneet Kaur jointly won the award for the maximum number of assists, while Deep Grace Ekka won it for maximum number of defensive tackles.
P Sushila Chanu was recognised for maximum interceptions in the midfield.
All players were rewarded Rs 5 lakh each.
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Narinder Batra was also felicitated by the chief minister for playing a role in hockey’s revival during his tenure as the chief of Hockey India.
Batra said, “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the honourable chief minister Shri Naveen Patnaik Ji 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 present for their unconditional support to the sport and the national teams.
Hockey India president 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.
“It could not have been attained but for the unconditional support of Odisha state government under the leadership of the honourable chief minister Shri Naveen Patnaik ji who is himself a passionate lover of the sport.”
Captain of the national women’s hockey team, Rani, said, “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.”
