BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha government felicitated India’s men’s and women’s hockey teams at a grand ceremony at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on October 16, celebrating their gold medal victories at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan and qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi attended the ceremony as the chief guest and presented cash rewards to the players, coaches and support staff of both teams. Describing the gold medallists as true icons for the country’s youth, he said their achievements had brought pride and glory to India and inspired the next generation.
Under the state government’s reward scheme, each player of the men’s and women’s teams will receive Rs 11 lakh, while each member of the support staff will be awarded Rs 5.5 lakh. The total reward announced for the two teams and their support staff amounts to Rs 5.61 crore.
Rs 20 Lakh Each for Three Odisha Hockey Stars
Recognising their outstanding contributions to Indian hockey, the Odisha government handed over special rewards of Rs 20 lakh each for Amit Rohidas, Shilanand Lakra and Sunelita Toppo, who hail from Sundargarh district.
The three players have brought national recognition to Odisha through their talent, dedication and performances on the international stage. Their achievements are expected to inspire thousands of aspiring sportspersons, particularly in the state’s rural and tribal regions.
The government allocated Rs 2.75 crore for the men’s team and its support staff, while the women’s team was awarded Rs 2.86 crore.
Women’s Historic Gold a Source of Inspiration: CM
Addressing the gathering, Majhi said the players of both gold-winning teams were role models for young people and symbols of India’s sporting excellence.
He particularly highlighted the women’s team’s achievement, noting that its gold medal victory after a gap of 44 years would remain a source of inspiration for women across the country.
ଏସୀୟ କ୍ରୀଡ଼ା ୨୦୨୬ରେ ଦେଶ ପାଇଁ ସ୍ୱର୍ଣ୍ଣିମ ଇତିହାସ ରଚିଥିବା ଭାରତୀୟ ପୁରୁଷ ଓ ମହିଳା ହକି ଦଳକୁ କଳିଙ୍ଗ ଷ୍ଟାଡିଅମରେ ଆୟୋଜିତ ଭବ୍ୟ ସମ୍ବର୍ଦ୍ଧନା ସମାରୋହରେ ହାର୍ଦ୍ଦିକ ସ୍ୱାଗତ ଓ ଅଭିନନ୍ଦନ ଜଣାଇଲି।
ଉଭୟ ଦଳର ଏହି ଐତିହାସିକ ସଫଳତା ଏବଂ ୨୦୨୮ ଲସ୍ ଏଞ୍ଜେଲସ୍ ଅଲିମ୍ପିକ୍ସ ପାଇଁ ଯୋଗ୍ୟତା ଅର୍ଜନ ସମଗ୍ର ବିଶ୍ୱ କ୍ରୀଡ଼ା… pic.twitter.com/czwhjS8r5b
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) October 16, 2026
The Chief Minister also praised the leadership of women’s team captain Salima Tete and men’s team captain Harmanpreet Singh. He described Tete as an example of modern, intelligent sports leadership and credited Harmanpreet’s determination with guiding the men’s team to its second consecutive Asian Games gold medal.
Quoting eminent Odia poet Sachidananda Routray, Majhi said that places which give birth to exceptional talent eventually earn recognition on the global stage.
A champion’s welcome! 🇮🇳🥇 The Indian Men’s Team was greeted with a grand reception. #OdishaForHockey #IndiaKaGame #AsianGames2026 pic.twitter.com/4vctfgZBXC
— Odisha Sports (@sports_odisha) October 16, 2026
He reiterated the Odisha government’s commitment to continuing its role as the official sponsor of the Indian national hockey teams.
Odisha Eyes Major Role in 2036 Olympics
Majhi expressed hope that Odisha would host hockey events if India’s proposal to host the 2036 Olympic Games materialises. The year 2036 will mark the centenary of the formation of Odisha as a separate province.
The Chief Minister said the state was strengthening its sporting infrastructure beyond Bhubaneswar to create opportunities for young athletes across Odisha.
According to him, the government is investing more than ₹4,000 crore in the construction of stadiums at the block level. A Global Sports Complex worth ₹1,000 crore is also planned at Gothapatna.
He said the 2028 World Indoor Athletics Championships, scheduled to be held at Kalinga Stadium, along with the proposed sports complex and grassroots infrastructure projects, would help establish Odisha as a major international sporting hub.
Khelo India Helping Discover Young Talent
Encouraging the players to continue their pursuit of excellence, Majhi praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for inviting Asian Games medal winners to his residence and motivating them through personal interaction.
He said the Khelo India initiative had emerged as an important platform for identifying and promoting young sporting talent from every corner of the country.
ଏସୀୟ କ୍ରୀଡ଼ା ୨୦୨୬ରେ ସ୍ୱର୍ଣ୍ଣ ପଦକ ବିଜୟୀ ଭାରତୀୟ ମହିଳା ଓ ପୁରୁଷ ହକି ଦଳଙ୍କ ସଫଳତାକୁ ଉତ୍ସବମୁଖର ଭାବରେ ପାଳନ କରିବା ସହ ଖେଳାଳିମାନଙ୍କୁ ସ୍ୱାଗତ ଓ ସମ୍ମାନ ଜଣାଇବା ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ୟରେ ଏକ ଭବ୍ୟ ବିଜୟ ଶୋଭାଯାତ୍ରା ଆୟୋଜନ କରାଯାଇଥିଲା। 🏑#OdishaForHockey #IndiaKaGame #AsianGames2026 pic.twitter.com/hVHMKVBrje
— Odisha Sports (@sports_odisha) October 16, 2026
The Chief Minister emphasised that sustained investment in sports infrastructure and support for athletes were essential to strengthening India’s presence in international competitions.
Hockey Is Odisha’s Passion and Identity: Sports Minister
Sports and Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said hockey was not merely a sport in Odisha but an expression of the state’s passion and identity.
He said the gold medal victories of the Indian men’s and women’s teams had enhanced the reputation of both the country and Odisha on the international stage.
Highlighting the achievements of Amit Rohidas, Shilanand Lakra and Sunelita Toppo, the minister said their performances would motivate thousands of young athletes in rural Odisha to pursue their dreams and demonstrate their abilities at international competitions.
The felicitation ceremony was attended by Hockey India president and former Rajya Sabha MP Dilip Tirkey, Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Sports and Youth Services Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Bhupendra Singh Poonia, departmental director Yedulla Vijay and other dignitaries.
The event celebrated the teams’ international success while reaffirming Odisha’s commitment to supporting Indian hockey and nurturing sporting talent across the state.
