Bhubaneswar: Minister for Sports and Youth Services, Suryabanshi Suraj, welcomed and felicitated Odisha’s hockey heroes, Amit Rohidas and Shilanand Lakra, at the Kalinga Stadium following their arrival in Bhubaneswar, celebrating their stellar performance and contribution to India’s golden triumph at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan, where the team bagged Gold and secured qualification for LA28.

Interacting with the stars, Minister Suryabanshi Suraj remarked that they are the pride of Odisha and an inspiration to youth across the nation, congratulating them on their historic achievement and wishing them the very best for their future endeavors.

On this occasion, Special Secretary of the Sports and Youth Services Department, Ashok Kumar Panda, Additional Secretary, Bijaya Kumar Swain, along with officials of the department and representatives from the Hockey Association of Odisha, were also present.