Amit Rohidas was awarded the Biju Patnaik Sports Award and a cash reward of Rs 2.5 crore.

Amit Rohidas, Indian men’s hockey team drag flicker and defender outshined in the Tokyo Olympic Games, 2021. Rohidas has been awarded with the esteemed Biju Patnaik Sports Award for his excellent performance in sports and Games by the Odisha Government. Rohidas was also honoured by a cash reward of rupees 2.5 crores for winning the team’s historic bronze medal for India by the CM. Naveen Patnaik, CM of Odisha, handed Rohidas a offer letter as DSP in the state police department at the Kalinga stadium.

Hockey India, organisation which directs and conducts all activities for both men and women’s hockey in India congratulated for his outstanding performance on Twitter. Rohidas, made the country proud after a long wait of 41- year to win an Olympic medal. Indian hockey team won bronze medal in the Olympics this year by defeating the team Germany at one point difference.

Rohidas, being a strong defender played an important role in India’s backline as well as penalty corner defending in the Tokyo Olympics. Amit Rohidas has been in light in recent years for the Indian hockey team after making a comeback in 2017.

“I am very delighted to know that Indian men’s hockey team defender Amit Rohidas has been awarded the prestigious Biju Patnaik Sports Award for outstanding performance in Sports & Games. He is truly deserving of it. His contribution to the Indian Team in their Bronze Medal feat in the Olympics will go down in history. I wish this accolade will encourage him to do better and better for the Indian team in the coming days”, said Gyanendro Ningombam, President of India Hockey team.

He also added that “I also congratulate Coach Kalu Charan Choudhury for winning the Biju Patnaik Sports Award for Lifetime Achievement in promotion of Sports & Games. He has dedicated his life to hockey, and this is a befitting award for his contribution. I also congratulate Siba Prasad on being awarded the Coach of the year. Congratulations to all the winners.”

Hockey coach Kalu Charan Choudhury was awarded with Biju Patnaik Sports Award for lifetime achievement and promotion of sports and games. Coach Choudhury has always had hands in bringing up aspiring hockey players from the state Odisha. And Coach Siba Prasad was awarded as coach of the year award, 2021.

By Rakshitha Sanchethi