Bhubaneswar: Extending warm wishes to all on the occasion National Sports Day, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday said Odisha model of partnership and High Performance Centres has drawn national attention.
Addressing on the occasion, the Chief Minister said, “Over the past few weeks, Odisha’s model of sports is being hailed all over the country. The entire country loves Odisha for supporting the national hockey teams who have gone on to script history at the Tokyo Olympics. Our model of partnership and High-Performance Centres has drawn national attention. It is an endorsement of our vision, investment and efforts in sports.”
The performance of the Indian hockey teams at the Olympics is a true tribute to the legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand, he said.
Patnaik further said, “This time we celebrate this day with all happiness, glory and splendour. The performance of the Indian hockey teams at the Olympics is a true tribute to the legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand.”
“Hockey has a special place for sports in Odisha. I am happy that the lifetime achievement award has been given to Kalu Charan Chaudhry, hockey coach and the outstanding performance award has been given to Amit Rohidas. Congratulations to both of you. It is a tribute to Odisha’s players and coaches, who have contributed to Hockey development in the State,” he said.
He congratulated Shiba Prasad Das for the award for excellence in coaching. His contribution towards Pramod Bhagat is well known.
“We are confident that Pramod Bhagat will makes us all proud at the Tokyo Paralympics. I also congratulate Trailokyanath Parida for his act of bravery. He has set an example of selfless service,” the CM further said.
“This is an opportunity for each one us to work together with heightened commitment to take sports to greater heights. I am sure many more coaches and players will be inspired to bring glory to the State and country,” he added.
On this day, the State Government has given Biju Patnaik Awards for sports and bravery.
Indian hockey defender from Odisha, Amit Rohidas, who earned his 100 caps at the Tokyo Olympics, was conferred with the Biju Patnaik Sports Award for outstanding performance in sports and games. Odisha sports minister Tusharkanti Behera has given the award carries a citation and a cash award of Rs 2 lakh to Amit here.
Hockey coach of Odisha, Kalu Charan Choudhury has received the Biju Patnaik Sports Award for lifetime achievement in promotion of sports and games. He received a citation and cash award of Rs 3 lakh.
Similarly, Biju Patnaik Sports Award for excellence in coaching went to Badminton coach for para players, Shiba Prasad Das. He received cash award of Rs 1 lakh and a citation.
Trailokyanath Parida, police ASI, Cuttack received this year’s Biju Patnaik Bravery Award. He received a cash award of Rs 1 lakh each, a silver medal and citation.
The awards were given in the august presence Odisha Hockey Promotion Council Chairman Dillip Tirkey, Executive Chairman of State Welfare Youth Board, Bijaya Nayak, and Sports and Youth Services Secretary R Vineel Krishna.