Odisha CM writes PM Modi to notify Hockey as the National Game

ONI Bureau: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi for declaration of Hockey as the National Game of India.

In a letter to PM Modi, Patnaik suggested that the National Game status will be a fitting tribute to the great hockey players who have made our country proud.

“Cutting across rural urban divide, Hockey is hugely popular. In the tribal areas of Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, Hockey is a way of life. In fact, in a first of its kind, the state of Odisha is sponsoring the National Hockey Teams for the next five years”, the Chief Minister said.

“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”, the CM further mentioned.