Odisha's Olympian hockey players receive grand welcome in Rourkela

Rourkela, Sep 4: Four hockey stars from Sundargarh district, who competed in the Indian men's and women's hockey teams at the Tokyo Olympics, have been accorded a grand welcome in Rourkela. Olympians Birendra Lakra, Amit Rohidas, Deepagres Ekka and Namita Toppo were felicitated at a special event organized by the Rourkela Municipal Corporation and Smart City at the local Civic Centre. When the hockey star arrived at the Civic Centre, they were greeted by a band of police. Rourkela MLA Sarada Prasad Nayak, Rourkela Municipal Commissioner Divyajyoti Parida Padma Shri Dillip Tirkey, along with former Olympians Lazarus Barla and Rourkela SP Mukesh Bhamu, youth groups, sports lovers and officials from various institutions were present to pay their respects to the hockey heroes. "These four hockey Olympians from Sundargarh district have brought glory to our state," he said. They have won the hearts of all by performing well at the Tokyo Olympics. "These four stars have been an inspiration to children who are preparing to play hockey in the coming days," said MLA Sarada Prasad Nayak. Addressing the gathering, Padma Shri Dillip Tirkey said that the state government is undertaking a number of programs for the development of hockey. The 2023 Men's Hockey World Cup will be held in Rourkela with Bhubaneswar. For this purpose, an international hockey stadium is being built on the BPUT campus in Rourkela. In addition, international astro turf stadiums are being set up in all 14 blocks of the district to prepare children from the grassroots for hockey.