After returning to India, Olympians received tremendous love and gratitude in Delhi. The hockey men's team has returned to Punjab and was received with warmth and much affection by the Punjab Hockey Federation at Shri Guru Ramdas Ji airport, Amritsar. Love of the people was showered on them in the form of flowers and garlands and their broad smiles were a witness to their persistence and hard work.
Team players Simranjeet Singh, Hardik Singh, Harmanpreet Singh and Rupinder Pal Singh and women’s hockey captain Rani Rampal were greeted with immense love and emotion at the airport.
Hockey Punjab President Mr Nitin Kohli, General Secretary Pargat Singh and Joint Secretary Surinder Singh Bhappa were present to receive the players. The SGCP committee of Golden Temple has also honoured the players.
Punjab Hockey Federation President, Mr Nitin Kohli talking about the victory said, "The hockey team's victory at the Olympics is historic and the Punjab federation from now on will work towards improving not only hockey but for overall sports infrastructure in Punjab."
This win will attract more youth to join hockey and other sports, and youngsters are encouraged to play sports, Mr Kohli added.
He further said that the Olympics victory will also benefit the sports industry.
Applauding the Indian Hockey team's excellent performance at the International games, Mr Pargat Singh said the Indian teams’ conquest after 41 years of gap will bring back craze for sports in the country. Punjab's youth that was getting involved in drugs and other intoxication will now be attracted to play hockey and sports. Meanwhile, he also feels that state governments will begin focussing on promoting sports amongst the youth.
Hockey Punjab will take hockey to the grassroots, he said.
They also mentioned that in the coming days Punjab will try connecting a large number of people and especially youth with hockey and sports. This is a happy moment for all of us, they added.
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Around noon today, the team will reach Jalandhar and a massive rally will be carried out to celebrate the victorious success of the Indian hockey team at the Tokyo Olympics.
The players will then move to their houses and meet their families and friends.
The Punjab Hockey Federation has also arranged for a dinner party for all the players.