There is a growing voice of supporters of major industrial projects in Orissa that have faced opposition from sections in this little-developed state.
Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, International Hockey Federation president Tayyab Ikram and Hockey India chairman Dilip Tirkey were present at the glittering ceremony to welcome members of all the 16 participating teams.
Around 60 tribals, a large number of them women, conducted an elaborate puja at the spot near Ambagadia village where the blockade had been continuing for 431 days at midnight.
While Sharath is the lone Khel Ratna award recipient, a total of 25 athletes including shuttlers Lakshya Sen, HS Prannoy, woman boxer Nikhat Zareen, athletes Eldhose Paul, Avinash Sable have been nominated for the Arjuna Award this year.
Shaili Singh, 19, jumped 6.76m -- the second longest distance by an Indian woman in April, behind Anju Bobby George's record mark of 6.83m, which has stood for 19 years.
While the men's matches were deferred, the international governing body said that the women's matches between India and Germany will go on as planned this weekend at the Kalinga Stadium.
Captain Sunil Chhetri rose to the occasion with his 87th international goal as India won the Intercontinental Cup after beating Lebanon 2-0 in the final.
Four Indian quarter-milers running below 53 seconds augurs well for the country's hopes of winning six straight Asian Games gold in women's 4x400m relay since 2002.
Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey said India can win a World Cup medal this time after a hiatus of 48 years but for that the home side needs to make use of penalty corners.
Shilpa Shirodkar, who starred in 1990s' hits like Kishen Kanhaiya, Hum, Aankhen, Khuda Gawah and Gopi Kishen, has made a comeback to the movies with Guns Of Banaras.
India will aim for their first podium finish in 48 years in the men's Hockey World Cup as they begin their campaign with a tricky match against Spain in Rourkela on Friday.
Jamshedpur FC took a major step towards securing the ISL Winner's Shield after a dominant 5-1 victory over Odisha FC
A round-up of Sunday's action in the men's hockey World Cup, in Rourkela.
Germany ended Belgium's dominance in global hockey in the last five years after yet another stunning comeback from two-goal deficit to beat the defending champions in the penalty shoot-out to win the FIH Hockey Men's World Cup for a third time, in Bhubaneswar, on Sunday.
In the first quarter-final of the day, Germany eked out a narrow 3-1 win over Spain via the shoot-out after both the teams were locked at 2-2 in regulation time. Later, Argentina beat the Netherlands 2-1.
Reigning champions and World No. 2 Belgium, who won the title in the 2018 in Odisha, will take on South Korea in Bhubneswar.
Long jumper Murali Sreeshankar on Sunday 'voluntarily' gave dope sample to the NADA officials after producing a big leap of 8.41m to qualify for the upcoming World Championships so that 'nobody points any finger of suspicion'.
India would look to address their attacking woes against a plucky New Zealand for a place in the last-eight stage of the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.
Images from the opening day's action in the FIH men's Hockey World Cup in Odisha.
Odisha born Olympian Dutee Chand Sunday made a startling revelation by claiming that she had been a victim of ragging
'We have restored it in full glory and it now stands as a testimony to BijuBabu's daredevilry.'
Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, who had pulled out of two top events -- FBK Games in the Netherlands and Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland -- due to a muscle strain he sustained last month, has started training but is yet to recover fully.
The Indian women Under-17 team's assistant coach Alex Ambrose has been sacked for alleged sexual misconduct, S Y Quraishi, a member of the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) overseeing the All India Football Federation, said on Sunday.
In the shoot-out, the hosts won 3-2 to pocket two points (including a bonus) as against England's one.
'We are exchanging in quarters. He is getting exposure while I have got enough experience. It is a good thing for the future.'
India open FIFA women's U-17 WC campaign against USA with hope to get at least a point
Ace drag-flicker Gonzalo Peillat struck a second-half hat-trick as Germany made a sensational comeback after being two goals down to beat Australia 4-3 and enter the men's hockey World Cup final for the fifth time, in Bhubaneswar, on Friday.
After Sunday's win, India remained at second spot in the league standings with 16 points from eight matches, behind Netherlands. Argentina also remained at fourth spot with 11 points from six matches.
Foreign teams that will land in India for next month's FIH Men's Junior Hockey World Cup in Bhubaneswar have been exempted from quarantine and will only be required to monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms during the stay.
Hosts India drawn with England, Spain and Wales in Pool D of FIH World Cup
The triumph also took Germany to the top of FIH world rankings from the pre-tournament fourth place.
Australia beat Spain to enter World Cup last four for 12th time on the trot
India made a shock exit from the FIH Men's World Cup after losing to New Zealand in sudden death in their must-win crossover match.
New Zealand have nothing to lose. It is India who will be under pressure in Sunday's knock-out crossover match against the Black Sticks in the men's Hockey World Cup, says Graham Reid, the home side's head coach.
The Indian men's hockey team climbed two places in the latest FIH rankings following back-to-back wins in the Pro League matches.
Centre has announced a compensation of Rs five lakh to the next of kin of each victim.
'To play my first World Cup match in front of a packed home ground against Pakistan felt like a dream. I can still feel the atmosphere, how the stadium was, how people reacted and how we won that match. That was the best moment for me as a youngster.'
Both the Indian men's and women's teams will play against Spain on February 26 and 27 in a two-legged tie, followed by matches (both men's and women's) against Germany on March 12 and 13.
India's men's hockey team slumped to its second defeat in the FIH Pro League, beaten 3-5 by Spain in the second match of their two-legged tie, at the Kalinga stadium, in Bhubaneswar, on Sunday.
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