The Odisha government on Monday decided to extend its mandate for men’s and women’s Indian hockey teams (senior and junior) for another ten years (till 2033) from 2023. A decision in this regard was taken in the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. After the cabinet meeting, Chief Secretary PK Jena said that Odisha has been the official sponsor of both the men’s and women’s national hockey teams since 2018. This new endorsement will be a significant step towards the development of hockey in India.
Earlier, ‘Odisha Mining Corporation Limited (OMC)’ entered into an agreement with Hockey India for the purpose of fielding Indian Hockey Teams (Men/Women, Senior/Junior) for a period of five years from 2018 to 2023 after the Government’s approval Was. Jena said that following a request from the Hockey India president, the OMC had sought cabinet approval for the extension of the agreement. The government gave this approval to the OMCs. He informed that OMC is now committed to sponsor both the teams till January 31, 2033. OMCs will release a total of Rs 434.12 crore (excluding applicable taxes) to Hockey India during this period.
