The Odisha government has decided to inculcate the spirit of hockey among the youngsters of the state by teaching them the importance of the game at the college level. They will be taught about hockey every Monday.

Higher education minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak told The Telegraph: “We have decided to promote the cause of hockey at the college level. A letter to this effect has been issued to all the college principals and university authorities.”

Joint secretary of higher education department, Snigdha Champati Ray, said: “Each Monday, the students of the government, aided and unaided colleges will gather at the open space inside the college campus and they will be taught about the significance of hockey and Odisha’s contribution to the cause of the game.”

However, hockey as a subject will not be included in the curriculum of the college. The decision came after students of the schools and colleges were given a note with the caption “India will shine in the 2024 Olympics”. The school and college leaders read the notes during the assemblies on Monday.

The letter said: “In Odisha, the government under the leadership of the present chief minister has taken a major decision to unlock the energy of youth by sponsoring Men’s and Women’s Hockey World Cup. In addition to this, chief minister also took the visionary decision to sponsor both Men’s and Women’s Hockey National Teams.”

Odisha is the sponsor of both men’s and women’s national hockey teams till 2033.

“Keeping in view the glorious history of hockey, government has decided that the role and importance of hockey should be highlighted and imbibed by the present generation. Therefore it has
been decided to take the following steps to emphasise the history and significance of hockey in students’ congregations in the college,” the letter added.

According to the letter, every Monday, the students of the college may congregate in an open space where “the golden and glorious history of hockey is highlighted by reading out of messages in English and Odia. In the congregation, students may be distributed chocolates or sweets and it may be met from the available contingency”.

It further said: “Flexi banners may be installed in key locations of the institute to highlight the legacy of hockey. Photographs of such congregations and flexi banners may be taken and submitted to the department of higher education and the same may also be released in social media for wider circulation.”