Bhubaneswar, October 6: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday spoke to the Indian Men’s Hockey Team over video call and congratulating them for their historic Gold Medal at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou in China.
He also announced cash award of Rs 5 lakh each for players and support staff of the victorious team, in recognition of their stellar performance to win the coveted Gold and seal a berth for Paris Olympics 2024.
They convincingly beat defending champions Japan 5-1 in the Final.
Thr Chief Minister spoke to the Indian team over video call after the medal ceremony.
India’s triumph ends a nine-year-long wait to finish on the top at the prestigious quadrennial event. In 2014, India had beaten nemesis Pakistan to win Gold.
Odisha is the sponsor for the Indian Hockey teams since 2018 and has been supporting the teams through major tournaments including Two World Cups.
