Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has announced a cash reward of Rs 1 crore for the Indian men’s football team for winning the Hero Intercontinental Cup here.
India rode on skipper Sunil Chhetri’s 87th international goal and Lallianzuala Chhangte’s strike to beat Lebanon 2-0 in the final and lift the Intercontinental Cup at the Kaling Stadium on Sunday night. “It is a matter of great pride for our state to host this prestigious Intercontinental Cup.
Congratulations to India on their victory in the face of stiff competition. It is our intention to hold many more football events in Odisha and support the growth of the sport in Odisha and India,” Patnaik said during the closing ceremony.
All India Football Federation president Kalyan Chaubey thanked the Odisha government for successfully hosting the tournament.
At the closing ceremony, the Odisha CM congratulated the team, and said, “It is a matter of great pride for our State to host this prestigious Intercontinental Cup. Congratulations to India on their victory in the face of stiff competition. It is our intention to hold many more football events in Odisha and support the growth of the sport in Odisha and India.”
India lifted the cup for the second time: The Indian Football team lifted the Intercontinental Cup for the second time. India also won the inaugural season of the Intercontinental Cup tournament in 2018, with North Korea clinching the cup in 2019.
