Picture Credit: Twitter
India continued their domination at the Intercontinental Cup 2023 as they beat Lebanon 2-0 in the final to clinch their second title. Odisha is one of the few states which actively promotes all sports on a national platform with them sponsoring the Indian hockey team, inaugurating three football centers in the state, and being the hosts for the 2023 Intercontinental Cup. In another gesture from the Odisha government, CM Naveen Patnaik has announced an INR 1 Crore reward for the Indian football team for their Intercontinental Cup heroics.
The Indian team defeated Lebanon 2-0 in the final courtesy of goals from Sunil Chhetri in the 46th minute and Lallianzuala Chhangte in the 65th minute. The CM Naveen Patnaik was personally in attendance at a jam-packed Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar and witnessed the Blue Tigers win.
In a tweet shortly after the win, Odisha CMO informed about the reward. “As the Indian football team clinched the Hero Intercontinental Cup at a packed Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, CM Naveen Patnaik handed over the winner's trophy to the champion team and announced ₹1 crore prize money for them," the announcement read.
Runners-up Lebanon will receive USD 25,000 for their excellent tournament until the final. All India Football Federation P resident Kalyan Chaubey also thanked the Odisha government for successfully hosting the tournament. The Blue Tigers will look to continue their success at the SAFF Championship and will face arch-rivals Pakistan on Wednesday, June 21 in their first Group Stage game at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore.
