K. ARUMUGAM

The State of Odisha has been Indian hockey’s saviour. Starting from 2014 Champions Trophy which it hosted, the province has become synonym with Indian hockey. In the last ten years, India hosted more tournaments than it hosted in the previous 60 years! It was made possible because of two factors, first the vibrant Hockey India and then the solid financial support and logistics created by Odisha. Fittingly, every knowledgeable in India credit the State for Indian hockey’s revival.  Therefore, it is apt that the State is organizing a grand welcome ceremony today for which full page advertisements have been inserted in the leading newspapers, and Live Steam organized.

It was the fruitful combo of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and his trusted bureaucrat PK Pandian who were behind all the hockey’s Odisha odyssey. They renovated Kalinga facility and raised World’s maximum seated hockey stadium in record time. Hosted every genre of international hockey competition including the World Cup twice, Jr World Cup once and many other League and Test Series innumerable times.

However, Mr. Naveen Patnaik’s political party lost the recent election for the General Assembly and a new dispensation, which has opposite ideology to his, has taken over. Even Hockey India’s present president Padamshree Dilip Tirkey lost his Parliamentary election. His political leaning is with BJD, which Mr. Naveen Patnaik heads.

However, what is heartening is the fact that the new powers also expressed in both words and action that everything that had been done for hockey will continue. A couple of months back it was also announced that the Hockey Sponsorship (all age group national teams) will be extended to 2036, which actually is the State’s Centenary year of foundation.

The present government headed by Mohan Charan Majhi has already announced a cash reward of Rs.4Cr to the son of soil, Amit Rohidas.

Felicitation function invite, full page advt

Therefore, it is only Odisha which has a legitimate claim to stake credit for Indian hockey’s revival — two consecutive Olympic bronze for a nation that failed to be in the semifinals from 1976 onwards (No semifinal in 1980 Moscow Olympics).

It is worthwhile to note that the team had a discussion with Mr Patnaik after winning Bronze in Paris and then Amit Rohidas met him at this residence last week. What heartens is the fact that the present and past regimes are in touch with hockey, and Hockey India also treat them in equal measure. These are in themselves a great going for hockey.

Hockey India and Odisha State Government have now invited all to the felicitation of the Indian Men’s Hockey Team, in Bhubaneswar today. Full page advertisement have been inserted in major national dailies announcing the event.

Details
Date: 21st August 2024
Arrival at Bhubaneswar Airport: 12:30 PM
Roadshow to begin: 12:45 – 02:45 PM
Photoshoot at Hockey West Stand: 3:30 PM
Evening Felicitation Program at the Convention Centre: 5:30 PM

Pic: When the Odisha Govt felicitated both men’s and women’s team of Tokyo Olympics.