Bhubaneswar, Sept 26: Media 11 emerged as champions of the 16th Tata Steel Friendship Cup Football Tournament 2026, while Officers 11 finished as runners-up at the friendly football competition held at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar today.
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Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who attended the tournament, said that sports are an integral part of life and play an important role in promoting unity, brotherhood and harmony in society.
The tournament brought together representatives from the political fraternity, administration, media and Tata Steel in a spirit of camaraderie and healthy competition.
Chief Minister Majhi emphasized that the spirit of sportsmanship is more important than winning or losing on the field.
He said that sporting activities help strengthen coordination and relationships among people, adding that sportsmanship and brotherhood form the foundation of a healthy society.
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The Chief Minister also appreciated Tata Steel for its commitment to social responsibility and for organizing the friendship tournament every year.
He noted that such initiatives provide an opportunity for people from different professional backgrounds to come together beyond their regular roles and build stronger bonds through sport.
The occasion also featured the felicitation of 10 Odisha players who represented the Indian men's and women's teams that won the Junior Asia Cup Hockey 2026 in China. Seven male and three female hockey players from Odisha were honoured by the Chief Minister, with each player receiving a cash award of ₹1.25 lakh.
The event was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling, Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain, Sports and Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, Government Chief Whip Saroj Kumar Pradhan, Tata Steel Vice President (Corporate Services) D.B. Sundar Ramam, legislators and representatives of the media.
