Bhubaneswar, 20/12/2024: Odisha’s hockey team, Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, officially launched their new jersey, mascot, and team anthem at Kalinga Stadium on Thursday, marking their readiness for the upcoming Hockey India League.
The jersey, introduced by Suryabanshi Suraj, Sports and Youth Services Minister, Sunil Gupta- COO of Vedanta Aluminium and Director of Kalinga Lancers, and Mr. Bhaskar Sharma, IAS, Principal Secretary Sports and Youth Services, features home colours in a bold mix of blue and green, while the away jersey embraces a vibrant orange and white. The design represents Odisha’s rich heritage and future vision.
With the Konark Wheel as a central element, the jersey design pays homage to Odisha’s cultural heritage. It also incorporates artistic representations of Chhau, Ghumura, and Sambalpuri dance, showcasing the vivid traditions of North and Western Odisha. The anthem ‘Jazba Jeet ka” is sung by Rituraj Mohanty.
The team’s mascot is based on the state bird of Odisha, the Indian Roller, aka Blue Jay. The name of the mascot is ‘Jeet‘.
David John, the strategy director of the team, expressed his confidence saying,”We carefully selected players during the auction who align with our goals. The defending champions are ready to strengthen their legacy.” The Kalinga Lancers will play their first match in Rourkela on December 30.
India’s goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak, Dutch Olympic gold medalist Thierry Brinkman, and Belgian star Arthur Van Doren are key players on the team. The coaching staff is led by Valentin Altenburg, who secured a bronze medal with Germany at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Eight players from Odisha are included in the team.
The HIL’s men’s league is set to start on December 28 in Rourkela at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium, with the grand finale taking place on February 1, 2025.
