 "Members of the Indian men's hockey team pose with their bronze medals during the men's hockey medal ceremony in the Paris Olympics on Thursday. AP")
Hockey India announced a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh for each member of the men’s hockey team in celebration of their bronze medal win at the Paris Olympics on Thursday, along with Rs 7.5 lakh for each member of the support staff.
Team India defeated Spain 2-1 in the bronze medal playoff at Paris’ Yves-du-Manoir Stadium on Thursday to secure a podium finish in the Olympics for the second consecutive time.
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The Indians had won bronze in the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, collecting their first Olympic medal in the sport in 41 years. The bronze won in Paris is India’s 13th in the Olympics in hockey — all of them won by the men’s team. India remain the most successful men’s hockey team in the Olympics with eight gold, one silver and four bronze.
“Hockey India announces cash prize of Rs 15 lakh each for all the players and Rs 7.5 lakh each for the support staff for their bronze medal winning performance at the Paris Olympics,” Hockey India said in a social media post on Thursday.
“On behalf of Hockey India, I congratulate the entire team and support staff for their exceptional performance and dedication. 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,” HI president and former India defender Dilip Tirkey said in an official release.
Paris Olympics: News, schedule, medals tally and moreBesides Hockey India, the Chief Ministers of Punjab and Odisha also announced cash prizes for members of the bronze-winning squad in Paris.
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Manjhi announced a special cash prize of Rs 4 crore for defender Amit Rohidas, who hails from the state, along with Rs 15 lakh for each player and Rs 10 lakh for each member of the support staff.
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, on the other hand, announced a prize of Rs 1 crore for each member of the squad hailing from the state — which includes captain Harmanpreet Singh, vice-captain Hardik Singh, Tokyo 2020 captain Manpreet Singh among others.
India lost 2-3 to Germany in the semi-finals and were forced to play the bronze medal match, which was the last appearance for the team’s legendary goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who played his last international match on Thursday.
It is for the first time since 1972 that India have clinched consecutive Olympic bronze medals in men’s hockey. India had won bronze each in the 1968 and 1972 Games in Mexico City and Munich respectively.
With PTI inputs