Bhubaneswar: Celebrating the Indian Men’s Hockey Team’s historic Gold Medal victory at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced a well-deserved cash award of Rs 5 lakh each for the players and support staff who contributed to this remarkable achievement. Their convincing 5-1 win over defending champions Japan in the Final not only secured the coveted Gold but also sealed their spot in the Paris Olympics 2024.
In a heartfelt gesture, Chief Minister Patnaik connected with the triumphant Indian team via video call immediately after the medal ceremony, extending his personal congratulations. The team, overjoyed by this special recognition, exchanged words of gratitude with the Chief Minister.
CM Naveen Patnaik expressed, “My heartiest congratulations to the victorious Indian Men’s Hockey Team. Their unwavering dedication and relentless hard work have once again demonstrated that Hockey is a sport embedded in India’s soul, embodying our nation’s indomitable spirit. In Odisha, where Hockey holds a sacred place in our hearts, this historic day will forever be etched in our memories as a monumental triumph for our beloved sport and our nation. I extend my best wishes to the Indian Team as they gear up for the Paris Olympic Games next year.”
Odisha has been the proud sponsor of the Indian hockey teams since 2018 and has consistently supported them in major tournaments, including two World Cups.