Bhubaneswar, Aug 21: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi felicitated Indian Men’s Hockey team, which won the Bronze medal in the Paris Olympics, at a special event here on Wednesday evening.

Prior to the felicitation programme, the Indian Men’s Hockey team joined a photo session with Chief Minister Majhi, Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj and Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey at the iconic Kalinga Stadium here.

Earlier, the hockey team received a rousing welcome, amid beats of drums, tribal dance and cheers from thousands of fans, on their arrival at Biju Patnaik International Airport in the city.

Odisha Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj welcomed the team members at the airport and accompanied them to Kalinga Stadium in a mega road show to celebrate their medal triumph at the Summer Games.

Hockey lovers and locals stood on both sides of the road to cheer the players. Different cultural programmes were organised on the roadside on their route from the airport to the Kalinga Stadium.

“I want to thank the Government of Odisha for the rousing welcome given to the Indian hockey team in Bhubaneswar. Every player in the team is very happy. It is a matter of pride that Odisha is the only state, which is sponsoring the Indian hockey teams,” said Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey.

The Odisha government, which is the official sponsor of the Indian hockey team, both men and women, had announced a cash reward of Rs 15 lakh to each team member of the India men's hockey team and Rs 10 lakh for supporting staffers for winning the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics.

The State government had also announced a special cash prize of Rs 4 crore for star hockey player Amit Rohidas, who hails from Odisha.

The Indian Men’s Hockey team defeated Spain by 2-1 and won the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics.

With this bronze medal, the Indian Men’s Hockey Team claimed back-to-back medals for the first time since the 1972 Olympics in Munich and attained their 13th overall Olympic medal.

Notably, the Odisha government has been sponsoring the national men’s and women’s hockey teams since 2018.

The previous government in Odisha had committed to support Hockey India till 2033. Continuing the State’s support, CM Majhi, immediately after assuming office as the new Chief Minister in June this year, extended the sponsorship of both the national hockey teams by another three years till 2036.

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