In a grand ceremony at the Kalinga Stadium, the Odisha Government felicitated the Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams for their historic gold medal victories at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, which secured their qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, attending as the chief guest, lauded the athletes, coaches, and support staff, calling the players the “true icons” of the nation’s youth. To honor their monumental achievement, the state government announced a total cash reward of ₹5.61 crore for both contingents.
Under the reward structure, every player from both the men’s and women’s teams received ₹11 lakh, while each member of the support staff was awarded ₹5.5 lakh. In total, ₹2.75 crore was distributed to the men’s team and ₹2.86 crore to the women’s team. Furthermore, Odia hockey stars Amit Rohidas, Shilanand Lakra, and Sunelita Toppo were honored with a special cash prize of ₹20 lakh each for their exceptional contributions on the field.
“The players are the pride of India and role models for our youth,” stated Chief Minister Majhi. He specifically highlighted the women’s team, noting that their gold medal victory after a 44-year gap will serve as an enduring source of inspiration for women across the country. The Chief Minister also praised the leadership of both team captains, commending Salima Tete for her smart, modern sports captaincy and Harmanpreet Singh for his unwavering determination in securing consecutive Asian Games gold medals.
During the event, the Chief Minister reaffirmed Odisha’s commitment as the official sponsor of the national hockey teams. He expressed optimism about India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games, hoping that hockey events would be held in Odisha to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the state’s formation.
Beyond felicitations, the state is heavily investing in the future of Indian sports. The Chief Minister announced that sports infrastructure will not be limited to Bhubaneswar. Over ₹4,000 crore is being invested in building stadiums at the block level, alongside a ₹1,000 crore Global Sports Complex in Gothapatna.
Minister of Sports and Youth Services, Suryabanshi Suraj, echoed these sentiments, stating, “In Odisha, hockey is not just a game; it is our emotion and a symbol of our identity.” The event was also attended by Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey, Chief Secretary Anu Garg, and Sports Secretary Bhupendra Singh Poonia.
