The Odisha government has set up 12 Grassroot Centres, where over 1200 young inductees are undergoing training. It also plans to lay synthetic turf in each of the 17 blocks of Sundargarh district
PRAVASISAMWAD.COM
It’s not just India that is wildly cheering and celebrating the performance of both the men’s and women’s hockey teams at the Tokyo Olympics. The euphoria and wonder is worldwide as nations and players alike, applaud in amazement and appreciation this extraordinary turnaround in Indian Hockey on the world stage.
A resounding 4-5, bronze medal victory against Germany for the men, has ended a medal drought of 41years, and 4th place for the women, is no less remarkable, despite losing to Great Britain 3-4. Around half time, the Indian women were leading 3-2; after the same side lost 1-4 against Great Britain in the league matches, and after Indian women finished at 12th place in Rio Olympics. So yes, magnificent and stellar performances on all counts from both sides!
People mostly see what’s happening on the playing field; hardly anyone notices what’s going on behind the scenes. And that’s the reason why few people notice the vision and commitment of one man to restore India’s pre-eminence in world hockey and to revive India’s pride in hockey as the country’s national game.
And that one man is Naveen Patnaik, the Chief Minister of Indian State Odisa. Without his unprecedented initiatives and visionary approach, Indian hockey would have – continued to flounder in mediocrity, or perhaps in a predicament very much like that of an orphaned destitute.
In fact, this is exactly what happened in 2018 when Sahara India Pariwar suddenly withdrew its sponsorship of Indian hockey on account of financial constraints. Just when prospects looked absolutely dismal and bleak, the Odisha CM stepped in.
Like a true knight in shining armour to the rescue, he came up with a five-year sponsorship package of Rs 150 crore in 2018. This makes Odisha the first and the only State in the country to become the official sponsor of the national team.
Viewed against the backdrop of the devastation the State suffers every year on account of recurring cyclones and a comparatively lower economic profile, this is a remarkably generous and stupendous offer.
The sponsorship tag was more than evident from the name ‘Odisha’ emblazoned across the blue T-shirts of all team members (both men and women). But that is not all. The vice-captains in both teams – Birendra Lakra (men) and Deep Grace Ekka (women) – are from Odisha.
Like a true knight in shining armour to the rescue, the CM came up with a five-year sponsorship package of Rs 150 crore in 2018. This makes Odisha the first and the only state in the country to become the official sponsor of the national team.
Additionally, Mr Patnaik has put into place several initiatives that will completely transform the landscape for Indian hockey, both on the national and international level.
*In collaboration with the Tata Group, the state government set up in 2018 the Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High Performance Centre, known in its abbreviated form as HPC, at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar. The idea is to groom young hockey talent and produce world-class sportspersons.
*The HPC has started a Boys Resident Training Programme at the the Kalinga Hockey Complex. As many as 31 boys have been selected for the first course.
*It has also set up 12 Grassroot Centres, where over 1200 young inductees are undergoing training. The government also plans to lay synthetic hockey tracks in each of the 17 blocks of Sundargarh district.
*Out of the 20 sports Hostels in the State, two in Sundargarh district, are dedicated for hockey.
*The First-ever ‘Khelo India University Games’ was held in Odisha in 2020. As many as 4000 athletes from 176 universities participated in the 10=day event, featuring 211 events from 17 disciplines.
*In 2018 the State hosted the World Hockey championships for the first time. It plans to hold the second World Cup in 2023 in Bhubaneshwar and Rourkela.
*In 2017, the Hockey World final and in 2014 the Champions Trophy, were both held in Odisha was held
*In Rourkela. The State Government is building the country’s largest hockey stadium to seat 20,000 spectators. It will be named after tribal leader and freedom fighter Birsa Munda, who valiantly resisted British oppression during the freedom struggle.
The victories at Tokyo have already proclaimed in bold letters the resurgence of the game on the world stage. And history will have to acknowledge in full measure Naveen Patnaik’s role, for it is fairly imminent that like a Phoenix, Indian Hockey will soon rise from its own ashes.