Dikhyaa Mohanty 
A riveting tale of a sports team that brought the country together and stoked the flame of national pride, “India’s Game” was proudly premiered on Independence Day by the Sports & Youth Services Department of Odisha in collaboration with Hockey India. Naveen Patnaik, the chief minister of Odisha, warmly opened the premiere this evening at the Lok Seva Bhawan Convention Center in Bhubaneswar. He also praised hockey historians and icons for their contributions to the sport.
Speaking at the occasion, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reiterated the significance of the documentary. He said, “On the august occasion of Independence Day, we dedicate this documentary to all the freedom fighters who fought for the dream of Independent India and to all the hockey players who won Olympic gold medals bringing glory to the nation. This film is a tribute to the spirit of hockey and Indian nationalism”.
To record the importance of Hockey in Indian nationalism, the video was created based on the original concept of Secretary to CM V K Pandian. The life story of Biju Patnaik, a renowned independence warrior and the father of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, served as inspiration for him. The Indian team’s triumphs over colonial powers like the British and Germans during the independence movement inspired the freedom fighters.
The Level Films UK-produced documentary details the remarkable voyage of the Indian team, who triumphed against great foes like Hitler’s Germany, Great Britain, and Pakistan to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals. It symbolizes the spirit of India’s sporting tradition and the uniting nature of sports. It represents the journey of a country that was brought together by a game that breaks down barriers and instills a feeling of national pride. The creation of this historic documentary was assisted by Hockey India and the Government of Odisha.
