Following India’s triumph in the Hero Intercontinental Cup held in Odisha, Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik has declared a cash reward of Rs 1 crore for the national men’s football team. The victory came as a result of captain Sunil Chhetri’s 87th international goal and Lallianzuala Chhangte’s strike, leading India to a 2-0 win against Lebanon in the final match at Kaling Stadium on Sunday night.
Expressing his pride in hosting the esteemed Intercontinental Cup, Chief Minister Patnaik stated, “Congratulations to India for their victory in the face of tough competition. It is a matter of great pride for our state. We aim to organize many more football events in Odisha to support the growth of the sport in our state and in India.” Patnaik conveyed these sentiments in a statement following the closing ceremony.
President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), Kalyan Chaubey, expressed gratitude to the Odisha government for successfully hosting the tournament. He remarked, “We couldn’t have asked for a better venue and conclusion to the Hero Intercontinental Cup. I extend my thanks to the Odisha government for their support and hospitality provided to the participating teams, making this tournament a spectacular event.”
Prasanta Patnaik