Naveen dedicates documentary” India’s Game” to freedom fighters, India hockey players winning Olympic Gold
Bhubaneswar, Aug 16 (Representative) Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday on the occasion of Independence Day, inaugurated the premiere of documentary film “India’s Game –A story of a team that united the nation. The Sports & Youth Services Department of Odisha government in partnership with Hockey India, proudly premiered the documentary film “India’s Game – a compelling account of a sports team that united the nation and ignited the flame of national pride. Patnaik inaugurated the premiere, held at the Convention Centre, Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar this evening and felicitated the hockey legends and hockey historians for their contribution to Hockey. Speaking at the occasion,the Chief Minister said, “On the august occasion of the Independence Day, we dedicate this documentary to all the freedom fighters who fought for the dream of Independent India and to all the hockey players who won Olympic gold medals bringing glory to the nation. This film is a tribute to the spirit of hockey and Indian nationalism”. The film was made based on the original idea of Secretary to Chief Minister V K Pandian, to document the role of Hockey in Indian nationalism. He was inspired by the life experience of Biju Patnaik, legendary freedom fighter and father of the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
During the independence movement, the freedom fighters were motivated by the victories of the Indian team against the colonial rulers like British and, Germans The documentary, created by Level Films UK, chronicles the extraordinary journey of the Indian team that soared to victory against formidable adversaries including Hitler’s Germany, Great Britain, and Pakistan, securing back-to-back Olympic gold medals. It stands as a testament to the unifying power of sports and the spirit of India’s sporting heritage symbolizing the journey of a nation that was united by a game that transcends boundaries and fosters a shared sense of pride. The Odisha government and Hockey India have provided the support in the making of this historic documentary. The collaboration between Odisha and Hockey India has not only reignited the state’s hockey prowess but also fostered the growth of the sport across the nation.. The premiere was attended by hockey legends Gurbux Singh, Harbinder Singh and also current Indian hockey stars Rani Rampal, Manpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas as well as Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey among several other international hockey players from the state. Odisha Sports Minister Tusharkanti Behera, Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena, Secretary Sports & Youth Services Vineel Krishna and other esteemed dignitaries of the state government also attended the premiere. The documentary can be viewed on: https://youtube.com/@HockeyIndiaMediaand https://www.youtube.com/@SportsOdisha