Odisha Honours Hockey Gold Medallists, Rewards Three State Players

Bhubaneswar: Recognising their gold medal-winning performances at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday felicitated the Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, rewarding the players and support staff with cash incentives totalling ₹5.61 crore.

The two teams also secured qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics through their Asian Games triumphs. The Chief Minister described the players as role models for the country’s youth and said their achievements had brought pride to India.

Under the announced awards, each player received ₹11 lakh, while each member of the support staff was given ₹5.5 lakh. The men’s team and its support staff received ₹2.75 crore, while the women’s team and its support staff were awarded ₹2.86 crore.

Three hockey players from Odisha—Amit Rohidas, Shilanand Lakra and Sunelita Toppo—were also given ₹20 lakh each in recognition of their contributions to the teams’ success.

Addressing the gathering, Majhi highlighted the significance of the women’s team winning the Asian Games gold after a gap of 44 years, expressing confidence that the achievement would inspire women across the country to pursue their sporting ambitions.

He praised women’s captain Salima Tete for her leadership and credited men’s captain Harmanpreet Singh with guiding the Indian side to its second consecutive Asian Games gold medal.

The Chief Minister also acknowledged the contribution of Odisha’s hockey players, particularly Rohidas and Lakra from Sundargarh district and Sunelita Toppo. Their performance, he said, reflected the talent and hard work of players from the state.

Quoting eminent Odia poet Sachidananda Routray, Majhi said that a land producing exceptional talent was destined to gain global recognition. He reiterated the state government’s commitment to sponsoring the Indian national hockey teams.

₹4,000 crore investment in sports infrastructure

Majhi said Odisha was working to expand its sports infrastructure beyond Bhubaneswar, with stadiums being developed at the block level as part of an investment exceeding ₹4,000 crore.

The proposed ₹1,000-crore Global Sports Complex at Gothapatna and the 2028 World Indoor Athletics Championships at Kalinga Stadium are expected to further strengthen the state’s profile as an international sporting destination.

He also expressed hope that Odisha would host hockey events if India’s proposal to stage the 2036 Olympic Games materialised. The proposed Games would coincide with the centenary of Odisha’s formation as a separate state.

The Chief Minister credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s interaction with Asian Games medal winners at his residence with boosting athletes’ morale. He also highlighted the role of the Khelo India initiative in identifying and promoting sporting talent across the country.

Hockey and Odisha’s sporting identity

Sports and Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said hockey held a special place in Odisha, describing it as a passion and a symbol of the state’s identity.

He said the Indian teams’ Asian Games victories had enhanced the reputation of both the country and Odisha. The achievements of Rohidas, Lakra and Toppo, he added, would encourage young people, particularly those from rural areas, to pursue careers in international sports.

Hockey India president and former Rajya Sabha MP Dilip Tirkey, Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Sports Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Bhupendra Singh Poonia and Director Yedulla Vijay were among those present at the felicitation ceremony.