Click to play videoNew Delhi: The Indian cricket team were the Prime Minister's guests on Tuesday. On Wednesday the Prime Minister made some time to entertain another squad: The Indian hockey team. Finally it seems, hockey is getting it's due.
A picture captured in the minds of every member of the Indian hockey team. After routing all their opponents at the Asia Cup in Chennai, the players got to relive those moments with Dr Manmohan Singh at his residence. This team had presented the President and the cricket team with mementos symbolising their Twenty20 win. On Wednesday though it was their moment of glory.
"It's a great feeling, he is the Prime Minister and hearing some encouraging words from him," said the Indian hockey team’s coach Joaquim Carvalho.
“The team was assured that we would be provided with the astro-type facility, we have been promised,” Prabhod Tirkey said.
The team is riding high on their triumph in Chennai. But the coach and the players know that resting on their laurels will not help in carrying the momentum forward. The hockey team heads to Bangalore to attend the camps before they tackle the next hurdle.
“We got to work on our strengths, shortcomings and fitness. We have drafted a couple of youngsters in the camp and it's a long process, the immediate aim being the Olympic qualifiers,” said Carvalho.
Today it was the turn of the Hockey team to meet the Prime Minister in the capital. And clearly it's a memory that this team will cherish for years to come. But on their minds right now are the Olympic qualifiers up ahead.
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