Ahead of the Men’s Hockey World Cup event to be held in Bhubaneswar in November, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare hockey as the National Sport of India.
In a letter addressed to the PM on Wednesday, Patnaik stated, “Hockey is a sport that has always been in the forefront of contributions to India’s rich sporting legacy in the past. With eight Olympic Gold medals under its wing, hockey has the potential to inspire athletes for generations to come. Considering that the sport is already popular as the unofficial national game of India, it is imperative that it is declared as the National Sport of India. Being played in over 10 States, the game cuts through economic disparity.”
The CM’s letter has received a tremendous response and has been trending at number 1 in Twitter with 2.65 crore impressions and continuing.
Patnaiks’ letter said, “In 1948 as a newborn nation, India witnessed this glory in london when the National Hockey Team won the Olympic gold medal. A nation of 33 crores rejoiced as the Gold was won in london by defeating Great Britain.”
“Cutting across different strata of society and regions, cutting across the rural urban divide, hockey is hugely popular. In the tribal areas of Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, hockey is a way of life.”
“As you know sir, the next World Cup Hockey will be held in Odisha in November this year. 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. Hence, I am sure you will agree with the crores of hockey-loving fans of our country that hockey truly deserves to be notified as our National Game.”
Odisha has taken up the initiative of mentoring men and women hockey teams to cultivate talent and promote the sport in the country. The State is proactively creating a culture of sports that encourages its citizens to embrace sports as a way of life that paves way to recognition, Patnaik stated.