Bhubaneswar: Odisha is gearing up to welcome the Indian hockey team, which won the bronze medal at the recently concluded Paris Olympics 2024.
The Indian men’s hockey team is set to arrive at the State Capital at 12:30 PM. Following their arrival, they are slated to participate in a roadshow from Biju Patnaik Airport to the renowned Kalinga Stadium in the city. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi shall meet the hockey players also and felicitate them at the Kalinga Stadium.
Previously, the Chief Minister of Odisha declared a cash award of Rs 15 lakh for each member of the Indian men’s hockey team and Rs 10 lakh for the support staff, in recognition of their bronze medal win at the Paris Olympics.
Additionally, the Chief Minister awarded a special cash prize of Rs 4 crore to the distinguished hockey player Amit Rohidas from Odisha. Earlier in the month, goals by captain Harmanpreet Singh and crucial saves by PR Sreejesh clinched the bronze medal for India with a 2-1 win against Spain at the Yves du Manoir Stadium.
This victory marked the first time India has won back-to-back bronze medals in hockey in 52 years, since the 1972 Munich Games. The Odisha government has notably sponsored the national men’s and women’s hockey teams since 2018.
The former government of Odisha had pledged its support to Hockey India until 2033. Upholding the state’s commitment, CM Majhi, soon after taking office as the new Chief Minister in June this year, extended the sponsorship for both national hockey teams for an additional three years, until 2036.
