‘Hello India this is for you’: Harmanpreet Singh dedicates Olympic bronze in hockey to India
Paris Olympics 2024: Following India’s historic bronze medal victory at the Paris Olympics 2024, Indian men’s hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh took to Instagram to celebrate the achievement, sharing a heartfelt message with the nation.
Harmanpreet Singh, who played a pivotal role throughout the tournament, posted a picture of himself kissing the medal, captioning it, “Hello India this is for you.”
The Indian hockey team, led by Harmanpreet Singh, secured the bronze with a 2-1 victory over Spain at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium on Thursday, marking their second consecutive Olympic medal—a feat last accomplished 52 years ago. The match held special significance as it was the final international appearance for legendary goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who delivered a remarkable performance in his farewell game.
Harmanpreet Singh was the star of the match, scoring two crucial goals in the 30th and 33rd minutes, ensuring India’s victory and solidifying their position as a dominant force in international hockey. Singh also emerged as the tournament’s leading goal-scorer, with 10 goals in eight matches, surpassing Australia’s Blake Govers, who scored seven goals.
PR Sreejesh, whose exceptional saves were pivotal in securing the win, was also hailed for his contributions throughout the tournament.
In recognition of their achievement, Hockey India announced a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh for each player of the men’s hockey team and Rs 7.5 lakh for each member of the support staff. Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey praised the team’s historic performance, stating, “This victory is a testament to the hard work, determination, and resilience of our players and support staff. Winning back-to-back Olympic medals is an extraordinary achievement that reflects the resurgence of Indian hockey on the world stage. The cash prizes are a token of our appreciation for their relentless pursuit of excellence. I would also like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to PR Sreejesh for his stellar career and invaluable contributions to Indian hockey. His legacy will inspire future generations.”