Odisha’s part in India’s hockey success

CM Naveen Patnaik’s interest and investment have paid great dividends for the State and the country

As the curtains came down on the , the world of sports had many reasons to smile. Notwithstanding the challenges posed by COVID-19, the worst pandemic in a century, the planet’s biggest sporting event concluded rather successfully. Credit is due as much to Japan as it is to the global sporting community for its resilience. India, too, had reasons to cheer. It won seven medals, including one gold in field and track, which is a first for the country. This was the highest medal haul for India. The medal tally of seven, critics would say, dwarfs in comparison to what many countries with much smaller populations and economic resources have won. Nevertheless, coming as it did five years after a lacklustre performance at the Rio Olympics, the show in Tokyo surely brings some hope for India. Also read |