Dikhyaa Mohanty 
Star hockey player Amit Rohidas was hailed by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at the Lok Seva Bhawan here on Friday. CM Majhi referred to Amit as “the pride of Odisha” and commended him. Majhi went on to say that Amit is the true identity of Odia Asmita, the self-identity of the Odisha people, who brought Asmita to the world arena.
“The Indian Hockey Team will clinch the gold medal in the next Olympics at the Los Angeles in 2028 with the good wishes of 4.5 crore Odia people and the blessings of Lord Jagannath,” CM Majhi expressed hope.
According to him, the Indian hockey team’s financing has been extended by the Odisha government to 2036. CM Majhi described Amit’s hockey career, stating that he was born in Saunamara village in Sundargarh district, which is referred to as Odisha’s hockey fortress. He said it had been an amazing journey for Amit to go from his village to the Panposh Hostel and then to the Indian Hockey squad.
According to Majhi, since 2017, Amit has contributed significantly to the Indian team’s victories in both national and international hockey events. However, Amit said that ever since his achievement in the Olympics in Paris, he has been itching to visit Odisha.
“I am very happy to reach Bhubaneswar and meet Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. We (Indian Hockey Team) have created a record by winning back-to-back medals in the Olympics after 52 years,” said Amit.
Additionally, Amit gave CM Majhi the Olympic jersey that was autographed by every member of the Indian hockey team as well as the Paris Olympics mascot. The state’s hockey players would be motivated by the shirt, according to the Chief Minister. On this occasion, the famous hockey player also gave CM Majhi a replica of the Konark Chakra. At the Lok Seva Bhawan meeting were politicians and dignitaries, including Suresh Pujari, the minister of revenue, and Prithiviraj Harichandan, the minister of law. Amit later met Naveen Patnaik, the former chief minister and leader of the opposition, at his home.
Notably, Amit competed for and earned a bronze medal with the Indian hockey team at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
