Odisha CM Honors Hockey Teams for Historic Asian Games Victory

Celebrating Success in Hockey

On Friday, Odisha's Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, alongside Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, celebrated the remarkable achievements of the Indian men's and women's hockey teams. Both teams were honored for their gold medal victories at the 2026 Asian Games held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Each player received a reward of Rs 11 lakh in recognition of their outstanding performances.

Historic Double Gold and Olympic Qualification

The Indian men's hockey team triumphed over Malaysia with a score of 5-1 in the final, securing their second consecutive gold medal at the Asian Games. Meanwhile, the women's team claimed their title with a narrow 1-0 victory against China. This achievement marks a historic moment as it is the first time both teams have won gold medals at the same continental event. Additionally, their victories have guaranteed their spots in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

Odisha's Ongoing Support for Hockey

During the felicitation event, Majhi emphasized Odisha's increasing role in promoting sports, reiterating the state's commitment as the official sponsor of Indian hockey teams at both junior and senior levels. He expressed pride in Odisha's contributions to sports and assured Hockey India and the players of unwavering support, regardless of the outcomes. "Odisha has made significant strides in the field of sports...I am immensely proud that Odisha is the official sponsor of the Indian hockey teams across all categories, from junior to senior...I want to assure Hockey India and every player that, whether the team tastes success or faces disappointment, Odisha will always stand firmly by its side," Majhi stated.