Grand welcome to hockey stars in Sundargarh

Sundargarh: Four members of the Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams- Amit Rohidas, Birendra Lakra, Deepgrace Ekka and Sunita Toppo, who have made the country and the state proud for their stellar performance at the Tokyo Olympics, were given a rousing welcome at their hometown here on arrival.

They were accompanied by former captain of the Indian hockey team Padmashri Dilip Tirkey.

The players were given a grand welcome by the district administration and the people of Sundargarh.

Upon their arrival at the Jharsuguda Veer Surendra Sai Airport here Saturday, officials of the district administration, and the sports department after welcoming them at the airport took them home to Sundargarh a distance of 22 km in a special carcade.

On their arrival at the Parijat Park here, the stars of the Indian hockey team were taken on a tour of the town in an open SUV accompanied by bikers on a procession to the sound of dulduli (a typical set of huge drums played particularly in the western part of Odisha).

Large crowds welcomed the players with great enthusiasm apart from felicitating them at Sundargarh Public School and at different squares on the route.

After the tour of the town, the players were taken to the Circuit House. The hockey stars were felicitated by the district administration at Bikash Bhawan.

PNN