HWL Final: Odisha govt announces cash rewards for Indian Hockey players

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Sunday announced Rs 10 lakh cash prize to each Indian hockey players, who won the bronze medal by beating Germany in the Hockey World League final at Kalinga Stadium here.

A Rs 10 lakh cash prize has been announced for the coach also while supporting staff of Hockey India would get Rs 5 lakh each.

Congratulating the winning team, Patnaik said, “I am delighted that the Indian Hockey team has won the bronze medal. I congratulate all of them. The State government is presenting each of them with a cheque of Rs 10 lakh to encourage them in future.”

“Well played, #India, bronze winners of #HWL2017. The young team showed brilliance & tremendous grit to achieve podium finish. Happy to announce ₹10 lakh cash prize to each player & coach & ₹5 lakh each for support staff of @TheHockeyIndia. They have made us proud. #INDvGER,” tweeted Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

CM @Naveen_Odisha presented medals to @TheHockeyIndia, the bronze medal winners of #HWL2017. He lauded the talented young team & announced ₹10 lakh prize each for players & coach & ₹5 lakh each for support staff. He wished #TeamIndia all success in #HWC2018, Bhubaneswar pic.twitter.com/8gy6vmRKDm

— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) December 10, 2017

Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, who is also here to watch the matches, did not announce any incentives for the bronze medallists.

He said that incentives are provided under the sports policy for nurturing the talent of players and there is no need to declare cash rewards for Indian Hockey players.

Odisha Sports Minister Chandrasarathi Behera was also present during prize distribution ceremony and thanked the audience who turned in large numbers to encourage the players.

Besides, Odisha Governor SC Jamir, Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas

Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and other dignitaries of the sports fraternity were present at the iconic stadium.
Worth mentioning, India toiled hard for a 2-1 win over a depleted but resilient German side in the bronze-medal playoff of the Hockey World League (HWL) Final at the Kalinga Stadium here on Sunday.