Hockey fever grips Tamil Nadu as Mascot ‘Bomman’ is unveiled ahead of the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023

Thiru Udhyanidhi Stalin, Hon’ble Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development, Govt of Tamil Nadu unveiled the mascot ‘Bomman’ named after the Oscar-winning documentary Elephant Whisperers

Chennai: Thiru Udhayanidhi Stalin, Hon'ble Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development of Tamil Nadu, today, unveiled the mascot for the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023 at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Egmore. The mascot, named "Bomman," takes inspiration from the Oscar-winning documentary "The Elephant Whisperers," in which Bomman cares for orphaned baby elephant Raghu along with Bellie – both belonging to indigenous tribes in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu.

The event was graced by Hon’ble Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development Department, Thiru. Udhayanidhi Stalin, Hon'ble Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Thiru Ma Subramanian, I.A.S., Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Youth Welfare and Sports Development Department, Dr. Atulya Misra, I.A.S., Member Secretary, Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, Thiru. J. Meghanatha Reddy, President, Hockey India, Padma Shri Dr. Dilip Tirkey, Secretary General, Hockey India, Mr. Bhola Nath Singh, Treasurer, Hockey India, Thiru. Sekar J Manoharan, Olympian Mr. B P Govinda, Olympian Mr. V Bhaskaran, and Olympian Mr. Mohd Riaz.

Hon'ble Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development of Tamil Nadu Thiru Udhayanidhi Stalin on this occasion said, “As the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023 nears commencement, I am honoured to present Bomman, the mascot of the event. The mascot is inspired by the heart-warming story of indigenous couple Bomman and Bellie who have cared for orphaned elephants in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. I believe this is a great way to value their contribution and create awareness among the athletes who participate in this prestigious event.”

The mascot features the majestic Asian elephant, an animal widely revered throughout the continent, representing qualities such as strength, intelligence, and teamwork. These attributes also serve to underscore the key characteristics that athletes should possess.