Delhi: The Government of Odisha 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 for Men’s and Women’s hockey teams. The launch was graced by the Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik along with Team India, Men and Women Hockey Teams, Dr. Narinder Dhruv Batra, President, FIH and President, IOA and legends of Indian Hockey including Dilip Tirkey, Dhanraj Pillay and Viren Rasquinha.
Addressing the Media, CM of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik said, “We are delighted at this association with Indian hockey and we thank Hockey India to have given us this platform. 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. No wonder, Odisha has produced India’s finest hockey talent. This is a first where a state government will not just be promoting a sport within its boundaries but will support and nurture Indian Hockey. This is Odisha’ s gift to the nation.”
Former India captain and hockey legend Dhanraj Pillay Speaking to Ten News Said, “i hope that odisha’s association with national hockey coincides with a golden period
for the sport and i look forward to all the nations playing “the Hockey World Cup in Bhubaneshwar this year”.
Indian women’s hockey team captain Rani Rampal Exclusively Speaking to Ten News about fitness and Challenges Said, “If we have to compete in the world level then we have to put more hard work into our game and show more focus. We will do all these in the forthcoming national camps.”
