The Indian men's hockey team has returned home after winning bronze at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 for the first time in 41 years. Gurjit Kaur, a women's hockey player, also accompanied the men's hockey players. The players from Punjab's Men's Hockey Team arrived at Sri Guru Ramdas Airport in Amritsar at 6.30 a.m. on Wednesday morning.
At the airport, family members, district administration officials, and senior leaders gathered to greet them. The airport echoed with the thumping of drums as the players landed. The players were presented with a floral garland as a token of their appreciation. Pargat Singh, an Olympian, and Hockey Punjab chief Nitin Kohli were present to greet the players. The supporters and fans expressed their love and respect when the administrative officials gave them a ceremonial welcome.Many players got emotional when they met with their families.
Indian hockey players proceeded straight to Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) after arriving at the airport, where the SGPC greeted them and congratulated them on their Bronze medal. The athletes received blessings and expressed gratitude to the gurus for always being there with them. All of the players were given Siropa by SGPC. Also Read: LPU to reward Olympic medal winning students, 50L to Neeraj, 10L to Punia, 70L to 7 hockey players
Captain Manpreet, Mandeep and Varun reached Jalandhar
The players will first pay their respects at the Gurdwara Sahib in Mithapur, where they live. They will next proceed to the village's hockey playground, where they will meet their supporters and fans. Pargat Singh, an Olympian, will take the lead. After this, the players will return to their homes.
Celebrations had already started and the grand party is going to be made at late evening in the grand welcome of the players. Former Olympians, celebrities and other sportspersons from the city, will be present in this party. Captain Manpreet Singh is from Mithapur village, and this village has been considered as a hockey stronghold for years.
Hardik Singh, a hockey player, will visit his hometown of Khusropur in Jalandhar. At Rama Mandi Chowk, he will be greeted once more. In addition, he will also be welcomed in the Jalandhar Cantt region. Then he'll pay his obeisance at the local Gurudwara Sahib. Also Read: “Dad crying from above,” says Jeev Milkha after Neeraj’s historic Olympic win
After creating history in the Tokyo Olympics, when talked with the players what they missed the most, they said, ‘Maa ke hath ka khana’. Mandeep Singh has expressed his desire to eat bhindi, ghee and brinjal vegetable when he reached home of his mother Davinderjit kaur’s hand.
Whereas Varun Kumar will eat curry and rajma-rice made by his mother Shakuntala Devi. Hardik's mother Kamaljeet Kaur said that the son has asked to make bhindi curry and kheer. Mother Manjit Kaur of Captain Manpreet Singh said that he likes parathas so he asked me to make paranthas for him when he arrived at home.
Both Indian men's and women's hockey teams did well at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, with the men's team finishing third in the world rankings. The men's team earned bronze after ending a 41-year drought. During this period, the women's hockey team also advanced to the semi-finals. It had a competitive edge in the world rankings. The men's team is currently ranked third in the world.Whereas the women's team is at number 8. This is the best ranking for both the teams. In the men's team, Belgium is at number one and Australia is at number two.
Hockey players from Punjab
Captain Manpreet Singh, Vice Captain Harmanpreet Singh, Simranjit Singh, Mandeep Singh, Gurjant Singh, Shamsher Singh, Varun Kumar, Dilpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Rupinder Pal Singh and Krishan Pathak and women's hockey player Gurjit Kaur.