Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi hailed Vedanta Kalinga Lancers’ 3-2 win over Ranchi Royals as a ‘proud moment for every Odia’ after they clinched the Men’s Hero Hockey India League (HIL) title at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium.
The victory earned the Lancers a prize of INR 3 Crore, while Ranchi Royals took home INR 2 Crore as runners-up, and Hyderabad Toofans secured INR 1 Crore for their third-place finish.
CM Majhi and Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj presented the trophy and the winning cheque of Rs 3 crore to the Kalinga Lancers’ Captain Arthur Van Doren.
CM Majhi praised the team’s performance, saying Odisha is now a hub for hockey, showcasing the state’s strong sports culture.
Taking to his social media post, CM Majhi wrote: “I attended the thrilling conclusion of the Hockey India League (HIL) at Kalinga Stadium. Kalinga Lancers’ 3-2 win over Ranchi Royals in the final match is a proud moment for every Odia. Today, Odisha is not just a host for hockey, but has established itself as the heartbeat of world hockey. The players’ impressive performance on the pitch and the spectators’ unwavering enthusiasm in the gallery reflect our strong sports tradition.”
“My heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all the teams, players, and organizers for this successful tournament. Let us all come together to take Indian hockey to new heights of success”, read his post on X handle.
