Odisha rolls out red carpet for Indian hockey team after Paris Olympics success

Bhubaneswar, Aug 21: The Indian Hockey team, which recently secured a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, received a hero's welcome upon its arrival in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. A large crowd, including enthusiastic sports fans, gathered at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) to catch a glimpse of the players and congratulate them. The team was warmly greeted as they emerged from the airport.

Immediately after their arrival, the hockey team members participated in a grand roadshow from BPIA to Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. The event was meticulously organized, with the players traveling in a special bus, accompanied by hundreds of motorcyclists who joined in to cheer them on.

During the roadshow, Odisha’s rich cultural heritage was prominently displayed, with large crowds lining both sides of the road to welcome the team. The players responded to the warm reception by waving to the cheering public. The air was filled with the sounds of traditional music and drumbeats, while artists performed various traditional dance forms, including Chhau, Ghumura, and other tribal dances, to honor the hockey team.

Later in the afternoon, the team members are scheduled to be felicitated by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi for their remarkable achievement in Paris.

Officials praised the hockey team for making the nation proud by winning a second consecutive Olympic medal, noting that their victory has inspired countless young athletes across the country. Odisha’s significant contribution to the revival of Indian hockey was also highlighted, with the state having taken on the role of official sponsor for the Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams since 2018.