By Nageshwar Patnaik in Bhubaneswar, August 9, 2024: Naveen Patnaik may have lost in 2024 election. But he was instrumental in revitalizing the Indian men’s hockey team, which secured a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics – their second consecutive bronze medal at the Olympic Games. The Hoceky Team’s achievement has been a source of immense pride for the nation, more for Odisha, which has played a crucial role in the resurgence of Indian hockey.

In 2018, the then chief minister virtually bailed out the Indian Hockey team, both men and women, by making the Odisha government as the official sponsor at a time when the sport struggled financially following Sahara’s exit as the primary sponsor. Patnaik’s involvement with the sport has been described as transformative. Hockey is now celebrated as a major sport in Odisha, earning the state the reputation of being the “hockey capital” of India.

“Indeed a historic and very, very special moment for India. The Indian team’s historic medal at the Paris Olympics 2024 has swelled every Indian’s heart in pride. It is also a deeply emotional moment for me personally. May this bring back the halcyon days for hockey, bringing more and more laurels for the country,” Patnaik posted on X.

Patnaik, a hockey goalkeeper during his school days, personally congratulated the players, including Odisha’s own Amit Rohidas, and spoke about the emotional significance of this achievement for the state.

The state government committed a significant investment in Hockey under Patnaik, with a deal worth Rs 120 crore that was later extended by another ten years, ensuring continued support until 2033. The sponsorship was further extended to 2036 by the current Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi, underlining the state’s long-term commitment to the sport.

Besides, the financial support, the state has developed world-class infrastructure to promote hockey and has built the world’s largest hockey stadium in Rourkela, with a seating capacity of 20,000. This stadium, located in Sundargarh district and known as the cradle of Indian hockey, was a significant venue for the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup, hosted by Odisha in 2018 and 2023.

The state has also organized several international tournaments, such as the FIH Men’s Series Finals in 2019 and the Olympic Hockey Qualifiers in the same year. These initiatives have provided the Indian teams with the facilities and environment to train and compete at the highest level.

Naveen played a crucial role in Indian hockey’s success at Paris Olympics 2024. It is needless to say that the state is laying a strong foundation for the sport’s growth in the country. As India celebrates this Olympic success, much of the credit goes to Odisha for its commitment to nurturing and promoting hockey nationally and internationally.