Odisha to Sponsor Indian National Hockey Teams for another 10 Years

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has decided to extend the sponsorship agreement of the Indian National Hockey Teams for a further period of ten years from 2023 to 2033.

The State Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, on Monday approved the proposal for extension of sponsorship agreement of both the Men and Women Indian National Hockey Teams (Senior and Junior) for a further period of ten years i.e., from 2023 to 2033.

The Odisha Government has been the official sponsor of both the Men and Women National Hockey Teams since 2018. This support is going to be a significant step towards the growth and development of Hockey in India.

Earlier, Odisha Mining Corporation Ltd. (OMC) had entered into an agreement with Hockey India, after due Government approval, for sponsorship of the Indian Hockey Teams (Men/Women, Senior/Junior) for a period of 5 years from 2018 to 2023.

Basing on a request from President Hockey India for extension of the Agreement, OMC Ltd. had sought approval of the Government which got the Cabinet nod today. OMC has now committed to sponsor for a further period of ten (10) years i.e., from 1st February 2023 to 31st January 2033 and a total amount of Rs. 434.12 crores (excluding applicable taxes) will be released by OMC to Hockey India during this period.

The Odisha Government has been a key promoter of the sport of Hockey and State’s partnership with Hockey India have played a crucial role in the revival of the sport in the country. The achievements by both the Teams at the Tokyo Olympics where the Men’s Team won a bronze medal after 41 years and the Women’s team reached the semi-finals for the first time have been significant realisations.

Hockey, being a widely popular sport among the youth in Odisha, with this decision, Government aims to provide further boost to the sport and attract more young players towards the sport, which will help in creation of a strong pipeline of talent in the State. Further, there will be a consolidation of the brand visibility of “Odisha” as a “Global hub for Hockey”, thereby contributing to the sport, business, and tourism sector in the State. India has a rich hockey legacy. With the support of the Odisha Government, Hockey India can build on this legacy and help the country regain its position as a hockey powerhouse, according to official release.