Bhubaneshwar: There is a pale atmosphere inside and around the capital Odisha – happy, victory and one filled with many pride.
For countries that are constantly trying to build their own identity in Indian socio-economic stratosphere, Odisha is not only caught but seems far ahead in the race today.
An Olympic bronze medal on male and female hockey which made him a semifinal in the match not only gave them a great return on a decent investment made three years ago but also gave them confidence now to fund sports for 10 years.
“The main minister has a dream and vision.
Partially by playing the game itself and most of it gives his love for hockey – he is very committed to Indian hockey and feels the need to contribute.
He sees that like the Odisha lift hockey, every state in the country must adopt One sport and pursuing excellence, “said V Karthikeyan Pandiyan, personal secretary for Naveen Patnaik, The Odisha CM.
“When the opportunity is available – will come as a sponsor – the minister’s head wants to do more than just cut the check.
He wants the game and ecosystem to develop.
There is great excitement in seeing this effort to bring fruits.
There is still a long way to go,” said R Vineel Krishna, Special Secretary for the Patnik Office.
While this senior officer is trying to build an ecosystem that makes today’s news for all the right reasons – including their initiative to come with a 20,000 capacity stadium in Rourkela and 17 ASTRO-TURF blocks in Sundargarh – the country has ensured that the former Indian hockey player still exists in a helmet to give this development a sense of identity and pride.
“In 1982, India lost the Asia Final 1-7 game to Pakistan.
That day, all countries cry.
And today, after 41 years, the whole country smiled.
My mind, it is progress,” said the former Indian captain Dilip Tirkey.
Aformer Rajya Sabha Member, Tirkey has seen both sides of the coin – as a player and administrator.
It’s been there and done that allows it to build a perspective of allround.
“We need victory.
Win, I mean, victory with certain consequences.
Not necessarily in the case of medals or podium finished, but something to hold, something to remember and be proud.
We have it now,” he said.
Odisha has more pride in the women’s team which makes it become an Olympic semifinal.
“The game was against Australia, our girls won 1-0.
Look at the game.
We won with one goal.
Is it one goal in hockey? But if you look at the entire game, they (Indian girls) can keep ownership of the ball, play Hockey attacks, makes pressure on the opposition.
“Appears in the game, Gurjit (Kaur) in a bad form, he struggled.
India only won one corner of the penalty.
But in the end, everything came together, “Tirkey shows.
Modern hockey, said these people, need a hero.
A hero to pursue and follow.” In these two teams (men and women), we have found a hero.
Let’s wake up from here, “added Tirey.
The Odisha Government invited the Dutch Hockey legend Floris Jan Bovelander, a member of the 1996 Atlanta Gold Medal winning team, to regulate the coaching manual.” Train the trainers and build Tier-2 and Tier-3 teams will now be focus.
The main minister has a vision and we are all committed to making it happen, “he said.
The next stop is the 2023 World Cup and there is work to do.” Last time it happened in Bhubhaneshwar, the queue for the first ticket 300, 400 meters.
I haven’t seen it happening in India for a very long time.
May we begin to see the rise of Indian hockey, if we do things the right way, “Tirkey said.