Bhubaneswar: Odisha hockey stars Amit Rohidas and Shilanand Lakra received a warm welcome in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday after returning home following India’s gold medal-winning campaign at the 2026 Asian Games.
The two players were welcomed at the Bhubaneswar airport by their family members, fans and representatives of the Sports Department. Their homecoming followed India’s successful campaign in men’s hockey, where the team secured its fifth Asian Games gold medal.
Amit Rohidas Thanks Fans and State Government
Speaking after his arrival, Amit Rohidas expressed happiness over the warm reception and thanked his family, fans, the Sports Department and the Odisha government for the welcome.
Reflecting on India’s campaign, Rohidas said the team faced strong competition throughout the tournament. He particularly recalled the closely contested semifinal, where India secured a 4-3 victory after scoring in the final minute.
India then produced a strong performance in the final to secure the gold medal.
Asian Games Gold Secures Olympic Qualification
The men’s hockey gold medal also secured direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, giving the Indian team additional time to prepare for the global competition.
Rohidas said the team remained competitive throughout the tournament and was pleased with the overall performance.
He highlighted the intensity of the seven matches and described the semifinal as one of the toughest encounters before India went on to win the final by a convincing margin.
Shilanand Lakra Credits Teamwork and Confidence
Shilanand Lakra also praised the Indian team’s performance, saying every player gave their best during the tournament.
According to Lakra, confidence was a key factor in handling the pressure of facing strong opponents, including Japan. The experience gained from playing in several international tournaments helped the players approach the competition with greater belief.
Lakra said the team now has around two years to prepare for the Los Angeles Olympics, with the ultimate objective of winning the gold medal there as well.
Odisha Hockey Stars Eye Olympic Glory
The successful Asian Games campaign has strengthened India’s position ahead of the 2028 Olympics. With direct qualification secured, the players can now focus on preparation and improving their performance over the next two years.
For Odisha, the return of Amit Rohidas and Shilanand Lakra with Asian Games gold has added another proud moment to the state’s strong hockey legacy.
