The Indian Hockey team, which earned laurels by winning bronze at the Paris Olympics, was given a rousing welcome by the Mohan Charan Majhi government.

Sports enthusiasts thronged the Biju Patnaik airport to get a glimpse of the players, including Amit Rohidas.

They held a mega roadshow from Biju Patnaik Airport to the Kalinga Stadium. A grand celebration took place at the Kalinga Stadium to mark India’s victory in the Paris Olympics.

On reaching the airport, the Indian hockey team was greeted with the beating of gongs and drums along with folk dances. Artists performed Chhau, Ghumura and different forms of tribal dances while greeting the hockey players.

Later in the afternoon, chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi felicitated the Indian Hockey team members at Odisha Secretariat.

The chief minister handed over ₹15 lakh cash awards to each member of the hockey team, ₹10 lakh to support staff and ₹4 crore to defender-drag flicker Amit Rohidas.

A special award of ₹50 lakh was given to PR Sreejesh for his lifetime contribution to Indian Hockey.

Majhi assured that the Odisha government would continue to support the Indian hockey team. After their felicitation at Odisha Secretariat, they reached Naveen Niwas to thank him for supporting Indian Hockey.

Responding to the welcome given by the Odisha government, PR Sreejesh said, “Odisha is the second home...I have retired from hockey. But I would preserve the memory of how the the people of Odisha have showered love on us. We always love to play in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela. Thanks to the Odisha government. We get so
much love and support from the crowd here.”

On this occasion, Hockey India felicitated eminent sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik for his support to the cause of Indian hockey.