Indian hockey player Amit Rohidas’ Saunamara village in Odisha’s Sundargarh district was in a celebratory mood after the team clinched the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics.

Villagers rushed to the modest home of Amit to congratulate his mother and family members after the team’s success. They danced to the beats of drums and sweets were distributed. Young and aspiring players also celebrated at the Panposh Hockey Hostel in Rourkela where Amit had spent his formative years honing the skills of the game.

Chulu Barla, the sarpanch of Saunamara panchayat, himself a hockey player, told The Telegraph, “Amit is our boy. We were watching the game live. As India beat Spain, we rushed to congratulate Amit Rohidas’s mother. We are proud of Amit and his family members.”

Barla said: “Had Amit not been given the red card and played the match against Germany, things would have been different. We have noticed the void created because of Amit’s absence. He would never have allowed others to pass him. But a game is a game, and we have to accept its rules. Still, we are proud that the team managed to clinch the bronze medal for the second consecutive time in the Olympics.”

Barla said: “Our area is known for producing hockey players. Our village has produced Dilip Tirkey and now Amit Rohidas is carrying the legacy forward. We are hopeful that many more Amit will come and make the village proud.”

Mirroring Barla’s sentiments, Amit’s coach K.C. Choudhury now the Officer on Special Duty (OSD), Hockey, Panposh Hockey Hostel, said: “Amit was under my tutelage for 14 years. Amit’s absence was felt in the match against Germany. Amit came to the limelight when he played against Punjab at the junior nationals - 2012. Odisha lost the match but his talent was spotted. All the 200 inmates of the hostel celebrated India’s success last night at Panposh.”

Amit’s mother Golapi said: “After the match was over, Amit called us and talked to every member of our family including the elders of our village. He was quite happy. At this point, I recalled his father who passed away in 2020 and had never been able to see Amit’s achievement at the Olympics. He must be happy from where he is.””

Niranjan, a sepoy in the Odisha State Armed Police Force, was elated over the accomplishment of his younger brother Amit. “He has brought glory to our family,” he said.