BHUBANESWAR: Nearly four months after announcing a first-of-its-kind initiative to sponsor Indian hockey teams (both men and women), Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to notify hockey as national game of the country.
In a letter to the Prime Minister on Wednesday, Naveen expressed his surprise to know that hockey, which has been popularly known as national game of India, has never been notified officially.
"The next World Cup Hockey will be held in Odisha in November. While reviewing the preparations, I was surprised and shocked to know that what is popularly known as the National Game - Hockey, has in fact never been notified as our national game," he stated.
Cutting across different strata of society and regions, the Odisha CM said, hockey is hugely popular. It is a way of life in the tribal areas of Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, he said. "I am sure you will be agree with millions of hockey fans that hockey truly deserves to be notified as national game. Once notified, it will be a fitting tribute to the great hockey players who have made the country proud and also inspire our future generations," Naveen wrote to Modi.
Describing the history of hockey in the country, the Chief Minister stated that in 1948 as a new born nation, India witnessed the glory in London when the national hockey team won the Olympic gold medal. Entire nation rejoiced as the medal was won in London by defeating Great Britain.
"In fact, prior to 1947, Great Britain avoided playing against India for many years fearing embarrassment to lose against its colony. India's presence in the international sports arena was marked by its brilliance in hockey. It later became part of the Indian psyche," Naveen stated.
Preparations are on in full swing at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar as Odisha is all set to host the Hockey World Cup from November 28 to December 16.
As many as 16 teams are participating in the biggest hockey carnival. Setting an example for other States, the Odisha Government had announced its association with Hockey India on February 15 and replaced Sahara as official sponsor of the national team for the next five years. (ENDS)