Bhubaneswar:21/6/24:Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Mohan Majhi on Friday announced the extension of sponsorship of Indian hockey by three more years keeping in mind the goals of ‘Vision Odisha: 2036. Odisha has a significant contribution in the development of Indian hockey team. Earlier the Odisha government had planned to be the sponsor of Indian hockey team till 2033. As the 100th anniversary of the formation of Odisha Pradesh is about to be completed in 2036, the Chief Minister has decided to extend this period by another 3 years.
Majhi said the decision to extend Odisha’s sponsorship of Indian hockey by another three years, was taken to mark and celebrate the State’s 100th year of its formation and keeping in mind the possibility of Gujarat hosting the 2036 Olympics.
The State Government has pledged its continued support for Indian hockey, providing a major boost for the sport. This significant partnership was solidified in a high-level meeting attended by Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey and Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh, with Chief Minister of Odisha Mohan Charan Majhi, Minister of State for Sports & Youth Services Suryabanshi Suraj, Chief Secretary & Chief Development Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Jena, and Commissioner-Cum-Secretary R. Vineel Krishna.
Speaking about the meeting and their partnership with the Odisha Government, Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey said, “We had a productive meeting with Chief Minister of Odisha Mohan Charan Majhi and Minister of State for Sports & Youth Services Suryabanshi Suraj. We discussed the advancement of sports and strategies to elevate our beloved sport to new heights.”
“We are deeply thankful to the Government of Odisha for their steadfast support and commitment to Indian hockey. This partnership has played a pivotal role in uplifting the sport across our nation,” he added.
Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh said, “We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Chief Minister of Odisha Mohan Charan Majhi and Minister of State for Sports & Youth Services Suryabanshi Suraj. Odisha Government’s support for Indian hockey has been invaluable. The Government of Odisha has consistently been a pillar of strength for our sport. Their decision to consider extending our partnership until 2036 underscores their dedication to sports and youth development.
“With the help of the Odisha Government, we are confident that Indian hockey will achieve unprecedented success. The year 2036 holds special significance for Odisha and for all of us at Hockey India and we will aim to make the year 2036 even more memorable for all of us,” Bhola Nath Singh concluded.