More than sponsorship: How Odisha government is backing Indian hockey's rise

For years, one name has remained synonymous with the rise of Indian hockey: Odisha. At a time when Indian hockey was struggling to find a main sponsor, the state stepped in and put its name on the jerseys of the national teams.What began as a sponsorship arrangement has since grown into a much bigger partnership, with Odisha emerging as one of the biggest pillars of support for the sport in the country. The state has since hosted major international tournaments and key matches for the Indian team with support for the sport being in abundance.INDIAN HOCKEY: FULL COVERAGEThat relationship has only grown stronger over the years. The Odisha government has continued the backing, going beyond sponsorship to ensure that the national teams receive the support they need and that the sport's development remains a priority. One of the most recent gestures came after India's men's and women's teams clinched gold medals at the Asian Games. The players were rewarded for their achievements, with each member of the teams receiving Rs. 11 lakh and every member of the support staff being awarded Rs. 5.5 lakh.The state also extended its sponsorship of Indian hockey until 2036, underlining its long-term commitment to the sport. But Odisha's contribution goes well beyond financial rewards or having its name on the national team's jersey. The state is looking to play a much bigger role in shaping the future of Indian hockey, from supporting elite players to building a stronger development structure at the grassroots.MAKING A DIFFERENCEAt the heart of Odisha's continued push for Indian hockey are Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj. The duo have made a conscious effort to stay connected with the players, particularly ahead of major tournaments, while ensuring that the teams have access to top-class facilities.For the players, that personal connect has been just as important as the financial and infrastructural support. Mandeep Singh revealed how the Chief Minister regularly checks in with the team, both before and after major assignments."Whenever we travel for a major tournament, the Chief Minister also calls and speaks to the captain and the players. Even after the tournament, he gets in touch and asks how things went.""He also speaks to Hockey India and checks whether we are facing any difficulties or if anything is lacking. He wants to know if everything is fine and whether we need anything.""That kind of support and concern makes a big difference to the team," said Mandeep Singh while talking to India Today.Odisha has also steadily established itself as a home for Indian hockey. With Bhubaneswar and Rourkela emerging as major centres for the sport, the state has become a regular destination for domestic and international competitions. The infrastructure and continued investment have helped create an ecosystem where hockey can grow and players can thrive.Amit Rohidas, one of the finest hockey players to emerge from Odisha, believes the state's consistent backing has played a significant role in taking the sport forward."This has been extremely helpful for Indian hockey because when you have that kind of backing, the sport naturally grows. It benefits Hockey India as well as the players, because a lot of investment has to go into developing players.""Odisha government have continued to support Indian hockey. Whether it is the Pro League, international events or domestic tournaments such as the Hockey India League, the support has been there," said Rohidas.For Rohidas, however, the relationship goes beyond the support extended to the sport. The Indian defender also spoke about the warmth and familiarity that players share with the Chief Minister and the Sports Minister, making it easier for them to communicate their needs and discuss the future of hockey."Whenever we meet them, it feels like we are sitting with friends. We can openly discuss whatever we need or want to ask, and they also speak freely. There is no hesitation. We can sit comfortably and have a discussion.""That is something I really appreciate because, as a player, what you want is respect. When they give us that respect and importance, it means a lot," said Rohidas.FOCUS ON GRASSROOTSWhile Odisha has built a strong foundation for elite hockey, the next big challenge lies in ensuring that the pipeline of talent remains healthy. For Rohidas, that development is particularly close to home.Hailing from Sundargarh district, the Indian defender has seen the efforts being made to identify and nurture young players. He pointed to the establishment of training centres across the district as an important step towards creating a pathway for aspiring hockey players."Odisha has set up centres across 19 blocks in Sundargarh district, with coaches appointed to work at the grassroots level. From there, players can progress to the state level, where they receive guidance from different coaches, before eventually moving to the national and international levels," said Rohidas.But simply setting up centres is not enough. Rohidas believes the focus must remain on the quality of coaching and the time invested in young players. He stressed that every stage of the development pathway needs to function effectively if Odisha wants to keep producing players for the national team."We have to pay attention to this entire ladder of development. The foundation of that system is the coaches, and they play a very important role. If they do their jobs properly, players will emerge naturally."The defender also had a clear message for the state government, urging it to strengthen its grassroots efforts and ensure that the investment translates into opportunities for young players."My message would always be to focus more on grassroots development and ensure that the work is done with discipline.""We have a target of producing more young talent and having more players from Odisha in the national team. We need to concentrate on that. If we invest in the right areas, the results will come," said Rohidas.The message is clear. Odisha has already done much of the heavy lifting in giving Indian hockey financial stability, world-class infrastructure and a home for major tournaments. And now the focus will be on ensuring that the tradition of the sport continues in the state and more stars will come from there.- Ends