Odisha Hockey players felicitated for their achievements in Asian Games

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday felicitated six hockey players from the state for their success in the 18th Asian Games held in Jakarta of Indonesia.

Patnaik felicitated Sunita Lakra, Namita Toppo, Lilima Minz, Deep Grace Ekka of Indian Women’s Hockey Team which had won the silver medal in the Asian Games.

He also felicitated Birendra Lakra and Amit Rohidas of Indian Men’s Hockey team and athletes Jauna Murmu and Purnima Hembram.

The Chief Minister handed over cash reward of Rs 1 crore each to the four women hockey players and Rs 50 lakh each to Birendra Lakra and Amit Rohidas, who had bagged bronze in the Asiad.

The Chief Minister also gave Rs 7.5 lakh cash reward each for athletes Jauna Murmu and Purnima Hembram for participating in the Asian games.

Amit Rohidas and Sunita Lakra also received the Biju Patnaik Sports Award-2017. They were absent in the awards distribution event held on August 29. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh, a statuette and a citation for each.