Odisha Extends Indian Hockey Sponsorship Till 2036 in Line with ‘Vision Odisha: 2036’

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has announced a three-year extension of its sponsorship for Indian hockey, now set to continue until 2036. This decision aligns with the state’s ‘Vision Odisha: 2036’ initiative and coincides with Odisha’s centenary year of formation.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi highlighted the strategic timing of this extension, noting the potential for Gujarat to host the 2036 Olympics. “Odisha’s contributions to hockey have been significant. This extended sponsorship could be transformative for our state’s sports landscape,” Majhi stated.

ହକି ଇଣ୍ଡିଆର ସଭାପତି ପଦ୍ମଶ୍ରୀ ଦିଲ୍ଲୀପ ତିର୍କୀ ଓ ମହାସଚିବ ଶ୍ରୀ ଭୋଳାନାଥ ସିଂଙ୍କ ସହ ହକି ଖେଳ ଓ ଖେଳାଳିଙ୍କ ଉନ୍ନତିକୁ ନେଇ ଆଲୋଚନା କଲି ।

ଆମେ ୨୦୩୬ ମସିହାରେ ସ୍ୱତନ୍ତ୍ର ଉତ୍କଳ ପ୍ରଦେଶ ଗଠନର ୧୦୦ବର୍ଷ ପୂର୍ତ୍ତି ପାଳନ କରିବାକୁ ଯାଉଛୁ । ତେଣୁ ଓଡ଼ିଶା ହକି ଇଣ୍ଡିଆକୁ ଆଉ ତିନି ବର୍ଷ ପ୍ରାୟୋଜକ ଭାବେ ସହଯୋଗ କରିବ, ପୂର୍ବରୁ… pic.twitter.com/GcLPAAcHpT

— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) June 21, 2024

A high-level meeting was convened with key figures, including Hockey India (HI) President Dilip Tirkey and Odisha’s sports officials. Tirkey expressed gratitude for Odisha’s unwavering support, stressing the productive discussions on advancing hockey.

Odisha’s commitment to hockey dates back to 2018 when it began sponsoring the national teams. The state has since hosted major international tournaments, including two FIH Men’s World Cups. Notably, Odisha is home to the world’s largest hockey stadium in Rourkela, the Birsa Munda Stadium, with a 20,000-seat capacity.

This latest extension builds upon the previous government’s commitment, which had secured sponsorship until 2033 with a Rs 434.12 crore investment. The new agreement further cements Odisha’s position as a global hockey hub, promising continued support for the sport’s development in India.