Bhubaneswar, Oct 06: Indian hockey stars Dilip Tirkey and Ignace Tirkey were felicitated by Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at a function held at the State Secretariat here today. Congratulating the players for their excellent showing which helped the country earn its maiden Asia Cup at Kuala Lumpur recently, Patnaik wished them further glory in the game. Patnaik particularly referred to the performance of the two hockey stars in the final against Pakistan in which Ignace scored a spectacular goal to seal the victory for India.
The Chief Minister also underscored the need for an action plan to encourage sportspersons in the state. The Minister of State for Housing, Sports and Youth Services, Ranendra Pratap Swain and senior officials were present at the function. Bureau Report