Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet Monday announced that it is going to continue sponsoring the National Hockey teams both Men and Women for next 10 years. The state has been supporting the National Hockey teams since 2018 and has played an important role in reviving the sport in the country.
The request for extension of the agreement came from the Hockey India president, which got approved by the Government of Odisha. The renewed sponsorship agreement will start from February 1, 2023 continue till January 31, 2033 during which OMC will spend 434.12 crores (estimated) on Hockey India.
Over the last few years, the Odisha government has been instrumental in promoting the sport and enhancing its standards. India’s performances at the recent international tournaments, which include the successful Tokyo Olympic campaign where the Men’s team won the bronze medal after 41 years and the Women’s team qualified for the semi-finals of the Olympics for the first in the history of Indian hockey, are some of the significant highlights of the association.
Odisha has a long association with the sport and has given the nation some of its finest hockey players. With this renewed sponsorship the Government aims to further promote the sport, and enhance the infrastructure but also nurture and attract young players who seek to pursue a career in hockey.
The Odisha government’s support will also consolidate the brand visibility of “Odisha” as a “Global hub for Hockey” contributing to the sport, business, and tourism sector in the state. With the state government’s continued support, Hockey India can build on India’s rich hockey legacy and help the country regain its position as a hockey powerhouse.
