Deep Grace Ekka, an Odisha hockey player, would get a financial prize of Rs 50 lakh, according to Naveen

Deep Grace Ekka, a hockey star from Odisha, received a cash prize of Rs 50 lakh from Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday for her outstanding contribution to India’s bronze medal victory at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

Patnaik praised her impressive performance at the event and referred to her as a role model for the youth of the state.

The chief minister said in a statement that “Deep Grace Ekka has evolved into a symbol of hope and pride for the nation’s aspirant athletes. I am certain that Deep will continue to make India proud and reflect the spirit of endurance and greatness that she has been showcasing since she has shown her tenacity with some outstanding performances.

The 28-year-old, who is from the Sundargarh district hamlet of Lulkidihi, made her international debut in 2011 during the four-nation competition in Argentina, and ever since has played a crucial role for the national squad. She achieved 250 international caps in May 2023. She was a member of the Indian Olympic squad that competed in Rio.

She was a crucial member of the squad that took home bronze at the 2013 Women’s Asia Cup, gold at the 2016 Asian Champions Trophy, silver at the 2018 Asian Champions Trophy, gold at the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta-Palembang, and bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

The outstanding defender was also essential to India’s victory in the first FIH Women’s Nations Cup in Spain in 2022, which resulted in a gold medal.