The Odisha government will sponsor the national mens and womens hockey teams for the next five years, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced on Thursday. The Odisha government will sponsor the national mens and womens hockey teams for the next five years, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced at an event in New Delhi on Thursday. We are delighted with this association with Indian hockey and we thank Hockey India for giving us this platform. Hockey in Odisha is more than a sport. Its a way of life, especially in tribal regions where children learn to walk with hockey sticks. No wonder Odisha has produced Indias finest hockey talent. This is a first where a state government will just not be promoting a sport within its boundaries but will also be supporting, nurturing and promoting Indian hockey. This is Odishas gift to the nation, the Odisha Chief Minister said.