Last Update: January 05, 2023, 17:45 IST
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik with the Indian national hockey team (IANS)
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik interacted with the national men’s hockey team, which has been accommodated at the World Cup Village in Rourkela, and announced cash prizes. He wished them luck and expressed hope that they would emerge as champions.
In a bid to encourage the Indian men’s hockey team ahead of the FIH World Cup 2023, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday announced an award of Rs 1 crore for each player if the national team wins the coveted trophy.
Patnaik made the announcement while inaugurating the World Cup Village at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium complex in Rourkela.
The World Cup Village has been developed within a record nine months and has 225 rooms with all the facilities at the level of Hockey World Cup. The World Cup Village will house the upcoming Hockey World Cup teams and officials.
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On the occasion, the Chief Minister interacted with the national men’s hockey team accommodated in the World Cup village and announced cash prizes. He wished them all the best and expressed hope that they would emerge as champions.
The players praised the Odisha government and thanked Patnaik for developing a holistic ecosystem for hockey for the country’s players.
The World Cup Village along with the Hockey Practice Center and Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium will provide a holistic environment for the national and international players for this mega tournament.
The Taj has been contracted by Hockey India to provide impeccable service and hospitality that reflects the culture of Odisha.
Significantly, Odisha is hosting the Hockey World Cup for the second time in a row. This time the mega hockey event will be organized in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela from 13 to 29 January.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)