The Odisha government has decided to extend the sponsorship of Hockey India by three more years to its current agreement. The government will be sposnoring the hockey teams till 2036 after the state Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi met a delegation of the Hockey India.
The decision was taken after a high-level meeting attended by Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey, secretary-general Bhola Nath Singh, 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.
Hockey India President highlighted that the meeting was productive and thanked the state government for their support to the sport. "We had a productive meeting with the 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," Tirkey said in a statement.
"We are thankful to the Government of Odisha for their support and commitment to Indian hockey. This partnership has played a pivotal role in uplifting the sport across our nation," he added.
Notably, Hockey India secretary-general Bhola Nath also praised Odisha's support towards Hockey. "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," he said
The state has been supporting Hockey India since 2018. It has also hosted two consecutive Hockey World Cups in 2018 and 2023. It is also hosting the Indian leg of the FIH Pro League.
The Odisha CM also stated that the government will celebrate the 100 years of formation of Odisha province in 2016. "Odisha has distinguished itself nationally and emerged as India’s sports capital. By the time we celebrate the state's 100th anniversary in 2036, our goal is to make Odisha the sports capital of the world," the newly-elected sports minister Suryabanshi Suraj said.
