Chief Minister ofOdisha, Naveen Patnaik, on Tuesday felicitated the Indian national hockey teamsthat scripted history, with their brilliant performance at the Tokyo Olympics,at a ceremony befitting the Olympic hockey heroes.
Recognising theachievements of the Indian men's and women's hockey teams at the TokyoOlympics, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced on Tuesdaythat his government would continue to sponsor them for another 10 years.
Patnaik said,"We, in Odisha, are elated that our partnership with Hockey India hasled to this great achievement for the country. I believe Odisha and hockey aredestined to become synonymous. We will continue our partnership with HockeyIndia. Odisha will support the Indian hockey teams for 10 more years. This willherald a new era of Indian Hockey and bring back the glory to the nation."
The announcement byPatnaik came at a time, when both the men's and women's team captain includingFIH president Narendra Batra and Hockey India President Gyanendro Ningombamwere sitting on the same dais, a big round of applause came from players andthe sports lovers inside the hall following the announcement.
Patnaik felicitatedCaptain Rani Rampal and the women's team, and Captain, Manpreet Singh and themen's team for bagging a bronze which was no less than a gold for India.
Each player wasawarded Rs 10 lakh and each support staff was awarded Rs 5 lakh by the CM.
As a token of regardsand appreciation, each team gifted a framed jersey autographed by the playersto the chief minister.
Addressing thegathering, Patnaik, said, “You made us all so proud with your spirited fight atTokyo.
These are deeply emotional moments for India to witness the revival of Indianhockey. For nearly four decades, the hockey fans have been yearning to seeIndia grab a medal at the Olympics.
“The way the entirecountry was glued to the screens to watch the hockey teams’ matches; it isquite evident there is something more to hockey than just sports. In the background of the Covid pandemic, it is remarkable that our teams have worked sohard in spite of all challenges and emerged victorious. In these crisistimes, the teams have brought smiles on the faces of crores of Indians. We allshould be thankful to our boys and girls,” the CM added.
Patnaik gave away 13other awards and felicitated Indian Olympic Association (IOA)president Narinder Dhruv Batra.
"I would like totake this opportunity to thank the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik ji and thepeople of Odisha for showing their love and affection for the sport of hockeyand helping our teams achieve the Olympic dream for India," Batra said atthe event.
Patnaik alsofelicitated Odia doctor, Col. (DR). Bibhu Kalyan Nayak, who was appointed asthe first Indian FIH Medical Officer for Tokyo Olympics and awarded him Rs 5Lakhs at the ceremony.
Captain of thenational women’s hockey team, Rani, said, “The team and I are very happy to bepresent here today as we wish to express our heartfelt thanks to the OdishaState Government for supporting our team. Our team is always made to feel sowelcome when we come here that Odisha feels very much like the home of Indianhockey now.”
“Everyone knows thatOdisha has sponsored and supported the women’s and men’s teams in the last fewyears, but very few people know that the people of Odisha have been a constantsource of motivation and encouragement for our team. Just like Odisha is ourhome, the people of Odisha are like our own family,” she added.
Captain of the men’steam, Manpreet Singh, shared, “It feels good to be back here in Odisha, theplace we call our home away from home, and now one of the biggest reasonsbehind our success at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. This Bronze Medal may have beenwon by us as players, but in truth, it equally belongs to India, a gift fromthe Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik ji whose vision and constantencouragement helped us achieve our dream of winning an Olympic medal after 41years. He is a pillar of support for each one of us, and this dream wouldn’t bepossible 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 withthem.”