- The Odisha government on 15 February, 2018 announced to sponsor the Indian hockey teams, men and women.
- The state government has announced to sponsor both team for next five years.
- First time any Indian state has came forward to sponsor a national sports team.
- Hockey India’s current deal with Odisha is estimated to be around Rs 150 crore for five years.
- Odisha will also host the 2018 Men’s Hockey World Cup from November 28 to December 16.
- On a occasion in New Delhi, the new jerseys, with ‘Odisha’ and ‘India’ written on them, were officially released.
- According to the Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, ‘Hockey in Odisha is more than a sport, it’s a way of life, especially in our tribal regions where children learn to walk with hockey sticks.’
