The Indian men’s hockey team, led by captain Harmanpreet Singh, returned to New Delhi on Saturday morning after securing a historic bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics. The team’s victory over Spain in the third-place match marked India’s 13th medal in men’s hockey at the Olympics, including eight golds and one silver.
The bronze medal win was particularly significant as it was India’s first consecutive medal in the Olympics since 1972. The team’s performance throughout the tournament was commendable, with Harmanpreet emerging as the tournament’s highest goal-scorer in the men’s category with 10 goals.
Upon their arrival at the Indira Gandhi Airport, the team was greeted with garlands and celebratory dhol beats. Harmanpreet expressed his gratitude for the support and encouragement the team had received throughout their journey.
“We have received all the support, and all our requirements were fulfilled. I really want to thank… We are very happy and proud,” Harmanpreet said.
He emphasized the importance of the bronze medal win for Indian hockey and the responsibility it placed on the team to continue performing at the highest level.
“It is a big achievement for hockey. The love that is being showered upon hockey doubles our responsibility. We will also try that whenever we enter the field, we comeback with a medal,” he added.
Goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who was named as the joint flag bearer for the closing ceremony along with Paris Games’ double medallist Manu Bhaker, remained in Paris along with Amit Rohidas, Raj Kumar Pal, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, and Sanjay.
The Indian men’s hockey team’s bronze medal win is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and resilience. It is a moment of pride for the nation and a reminder of the potential of Indian hockey on the global stage.
