Catch them young — this seems to be the mantra of the Odisha government while promoting sports, particularly hockey.

Students of classes I to X in all schools across the state have been administered a note during the school assembly on how Odisha is promoting the cause of hockey and how the sport can be chosen as a profession.

The note was shared by the state government and sent to schools with the caption “India will shine in the 2024 Olympics”.

“The objective is to promote hockey and to create awareness among students about hockey and the Paris Olympics 2024,” said Anupam Saha, state project director of Odisha School Education Programme Authority.

The note pointed out how Odisha was playing a big role in the promotion of hockey. It also briefed students about how India won the gold medal in hockey at the Asian Games recently and qualified for the Paris Olympics by defeating Japan 5-1.

The note mentioned that Indian men won the hockey gold for the fourth time in the Asian Games and earlier they had won it in 1966, 1998 and 2014. “Chief minister Naveen Patnaik also congratulated the Indian hockey team,” the note reads.

It also pointed out that hockey is the national game of India and Odisha’s contribution to Indian hockey is immense. Players such as Dilip Tirkey, Birendra Lakra, Amit Rohidas, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Subhadra Pradhan, Namita Toppo and Lilima Minz played for India.

According to the note, Sundergarh is the cradle of Indian hockey. After 1980, Indian hockey lost its significance. When Indian hockey was passing through bad times, Odisha came forward to help and sponsor the game.

It also elaborated on how Odisha built Birsa stadium in Rourkela to promote hockey and how for the first time hockey World Cup was organised at Kalinga stadium in Bhubaneswar in 2018. It also informed the students that My School Hockey Club is promoting the cause of hockey at the school level and the students can benefit out of it. Students above Class VI can join the My School Hockey Club and the young talents can be nurtured by the club.

Besides hockey, the note also pointed out how the Odisha government is promoting the cause of other sports such as basketball, football and tennis. It also urged the students to actively participate in sports.

Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey, who is in China, told The Telegraph: “Chief minister Naveen Patnaik’s unflinching support, giving confidence to the players that he is behind them and announcing lucrative prizes for players, have helped the Indian hockey grow again and now it started yielding results. Now, the Indian team is the Asian Champion, winner of the gold medal.”

Tirkey added: “In 2017-18 when there were no sponsors for the Indian hockey team, it was Naveen who supported the team. An agreement was made to support the Indian team till 2023 and later it was extended till 2033.”