Hockey India on Monday congratulated Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on being bestowed with the prestigious FIH President’s Award honoured by the FIH, the world governing body for hockey, in New Delhi on November 1.
The special recognition by the FIH was made to honour Patnaik’s endeavour in promoting hockey and his Government’s incredible enthusiasm in organising the Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup Bhubaneswar-2018, scheduled to begin here on November 28.
Patnaik, an ardent sports lover, was bestowed with the award during the recently-concluded 46th FIH Congress at The Lalit in New Delhi.
“It is a befitting honour for a man who has been in the forefront of developing sports and hockey in specific in the region of Odisha. By coming forward to partner the Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup Bhubaneswar-2018 as main sponsor, the Odisha Government led by Naveen Patnaik has ensured the marquee event will be played in front of a home crowd, and the passion Odisha prides over hockey will be seen world over,” stated Hockey India president Mohd Mushtaque Ahmad.