After winning the bronze medal in the 2024 Olympic Games and returning to India on Saturday morning, Indian men’s hockey team members arrived in their homeland.
The third-place playoff victory over Spain took India’s record hockey medal count at the Olympics to an impressive 13.
Most of them returned while some are remaining in Paris for the closing ceremony.Goalkeeper PR Sreejesh who has announced his retirement from international hockey after India won the medals, will share the honor with shooter Manu Bhaker who won two golds at the Olympics.
Also, Amit Rohidas, Raj Kumar Pal, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh and Sanjay are expected to come back once the closing ceremony is over.
When their plane touched ground at Indira Gandhi Airport, New Delhi Harmanpreet and his mates were garlanded as they walked out of arrivals and hit by rims played by dhol players celebrating their spectacular show at the Tokyo Olympics.
“Everything we needed was give us. I would like to thank… It’s a proud moment for us,” remarked Harmanpreet on reaching out to reporters.
“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 come back with a medal,” he added.
Just before takeoff from France, an announcement came from pilot’s cabin through public address system which welcomed him into seating area.
India took its tally of Olympic medals in Hockey for men up to 13 including eight gold medals and one silver when it secured a bronze at this year’s games in France.
It also represents another key milestone as it signifies that since 1972 like this time where they have managed successive wins/medals in Olympic history
At Yves-du-Manoir Stadium on Wednesday afternoon during play-off match against Spain for Bronze Medal of Men’s Hockey Tournament held at Paris; India won 2-1.
Harmanpreet, the skipper netted both of his team’s goals in the 30th and 33rd minutes.
Thus, with a total of 10 goals, Harmanpreet not only ensured bronze for India but also became the highest scorer in men’s section of the tournament.
