Bhubaneswar, Feb 15 : The Odisha government on Thursday announced a first-of- its-kind association with Hockey India for the next five years.
The state also unveiled its logo that will don the new jerseys of Team India: Men’s and Women’s hockey teams.
The launch was graced by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik along with Team India: Men and Women, Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra, President, FIH and President, IOA and legends of Indian Hockey including Dilip Tirkey, Dhanraj Pillay and Viren Rasquinha at New Delhi.
Speaking on the occasion Mr.Patnaik said, “We are delighted at this association with Indian hockey and we thank Hockey India to have given us this platform.
“We are looking forward to all the nations playing the Hockey World Cup in Bhubaneshwar this year,he said and extended a warm invite to everyone to see team India in action.”
“ Hockey in Odisha is more than a sport; it’s a way of life, especially in our tribal regions, where children learn to walk with hockey sticks” he remarked..
Mr.Patnaik said Odisha has produced India’s finest hockey talent adding that the step of the state government will not just be promoting a sport within its boundaries but will support and nurture the Indian Hockey Teams.
He described the five years association with the Hockey India as Odisha’s gift to the nation.”
Mr.Patnaik further said “We would like this association to help widen the net for Hockey in India and to ensure that all Indians get behind the national sport. We hope that Odisha’s association with national hockey coincides with a golden period for the sport.
Comments are closed.