Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today interacted with the players of Indian Under-18 girls rugby team and honoured them with a cash award of Rs 5 lakhs for winning silver medal at Asia Rugby Under-18 Girls Rugby Sevens Championship, held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

In a formal meeting held at Lokseva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar, CM Patnaik handed over the cash award, which had been announced by Sports Minister Tusharkanti Behera in another function yesterday.

Congratulating the team members for their success, Chief Minister Patnaik said, “You played brilliantly and narrowly missed the gold. We are very proud of this achievement.  You have shown grit, speed, skill and fierce determination. I am sure this is the start of a new journey in the coming years, you all will make history.”

The team thanked the Chief Minister for his constant support to sports, particularly rugby. Odisha Sports Minister Tusharkanti Behera was also present on the occasion.