India wins Intercontinental Cup 2023, Odisha CM announces Rs 1 crore reward

India wins Intercontinental Cup for the second time, defeating Lebanon by 2-0 last night at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar. The Odisha CM announced Rs 1 crore reward to the Indian team.

The Chief Minister of Odisha announced a Rs 1 crore reward for the Indian Football team for winning the coveted Intercontinental Cup 2023. India defeated Lebanon by 2-0 in the Intercontinental Cup 2023 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar. Indian Football stars Sunil Chhetri and Lallianzuala Chhangte scored two goals each to give India a decisive edge. 

The Kalinga Stadium witnessed huge crowds which had come to witness the clash between India and Lebanon, with several dignitaries being present during the historic night, which included Sports & Youth Services Minister, Tusharkanti Behera, Secretary, 5T, V Karthikeyan Pandian, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Sports, Vineel Krishna, president AIFF, Kalyan Chaubey, secretary general, AIFF, Shaji Prabhakaran, and secretary, Football Association of Odisha, Ashirbad Behera.

Odisha CM announced Rs 1 crore reward

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced a Rs 1 crore award for the Indian Football team. He also handed over the trophy to the team. 

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.

The face of Indian Football, Sunil Chetri, is the third-highest goal scorer among active football players, as he has scored 87 goals in 137 appearances. Only Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina's World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi are ahead of him.