Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today felicitated four hockey players from the State _ Amit Rohidas, Birendra Lakra, Deep Grace Ekka and Namita Toppo _ with cash awards and jobs in return of their outstanding performance in the Tokyo Olympics.
Rohidas and Lakra were members of the Indian men team that won an Olympic medal (bronze) after a gap of 41 years, while Ekka and Toppo were part of the Indian women team that reached semifinals for the first time in the history of Olympic Games before finishing fourth.
In a function at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, the Chief Minister handed over a cash award of Rs 2.5 crores to Lakra and Rohidas. Chief Minister also handed over the offer letter for appointment as Deputy Superintendent of Police in the State Police department to Rohidas and Lakra.