Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday launched the ‘My Heart beats for Hockey’ campaign, around ninety days ahead of Hockey Men’s World Cup scheduled to be held at Kalinga Stadium here from November 28 to December 16.
The kick-start of the campaign coincides on the occasion of National Sports Day, which is celebrated on 29th August every year to mark the birthday of legendary hockey player Dhyan Chand.
The Chief Minister also released the countdown clock for the mega event on the occasion.
“The countdown clock is here to showcase 90 days to go for the Hockey World Cup-2018. It will rhyme with the heart of India and the rhythm of Odisha in the run up to the mega sports event,” Patnaik said.
The Chief Minister said, the State government is taking all steps to organise it in a befitting manner and ensure that it’s a grand success.
The campaign aims at garnering public support for hockey through music, entertainment, fashion, sport and panel discussions.
The digital campaign, which will witness participation of the national hockey team, will urge people to pledge their support to the game with the slogan, “My heart beats for hockey, does yours?”
The Chief Minister also presented several sports awards on the occasion.
Star hockey players Sunita Lakra and Amit Rohidas received the prestigious Biju Patnaik Sports Award, while visually impaired cricketers Md Jafar Iqbal and Pankaj Bhue were presented Rs 5 lakh each for their outstanding performances in their games.
Coach Sanjay Garnayak and sports journalist Sujit Kumar Garnayak were also awarded for their contribution in the field of sports.
Ms Kalinga