MUMBAI: Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik bagged the International Hockey Federation (FIH) President’s Award on Monday in New Delhi on 1 November, ANI reports.
Patnaik, an ardent sports lover, was recognised for promoting hockey and his government’s incredible efforts in bringing the Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup to Bhubaneswar. The marquee event is slated to begin on 28 November.
Odisha has also been in the news for hosting the Ekamra Sports Literary Festival, Asia’s largest event of this kind, in the same city recently. The government recently announced its sponsorship of the the Indian Arrows and the Indian U-15 national teams in football respectively.
Earlier this year, Odisha was named as the principal sponsor of the Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams as well.
Hockey India (HI) President Mohd Mushtaque Ahmad was quoted as saying to ANI on the development:
“On behalf of Hockey India, I would like to congratulate Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister of Odisha, on being bestowed with the prestigious FIH President’s Award.”
“It is a befitting honour for a man who has been in the forefront of developing sports and hockey in specific in the region of Odisha. By coming forward to partner the Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 as main sponsor, the Odisha Government led by Shri Naveen Patnaik has ensured the marquee event will be played in front of a home crowd, and the passion Odisha prides over hockey will be seen world over,” Ahmad added.
