Bhopal :Fulfilling his promise, Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan will give an incentive of Rs 31 lakh to each of the players of Indian women’s hockey team of Tokyo Olympics 2020 on September 28. President of Hockey Federation of India and Indian Olympic Association, Shri Narendra Dhruv Batra, will be the special guest in this programme to be organized at Minto Hall on Tuesday at 12 noon under the chairmanship of Sports Minister Smt. Yashodhara Raje Scindia. Apart from this, Hockey India President Shri Gyanendrao Nigombam, Hockey India CEO Sushri Elina Norman, Secretary Shri Rajendra Singh and Women’s Hockey team coach Shri Tushar Khandekar will also be specially present.
Sports Minister Smt. Yashodhara Raje Scindia informed that Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan is always ready to honour and encourage sports and sportspersons. The spectacular historic performance of the women’s hockey team in the Tokyo Olympics 2020 won the hearts of the nation and the world. As always, Chief Minister Shri Chouhan was also impressed by the performance of the players. When the Indian women’s hockey team remained fourth in the Tokyo Olympics despite a stellar performance, Shri Chouhan had announced to honor them.
Sports Minister Smt. Scindia said that it has always been a matter of pride for the state that seven players, who were trained in the Madhya Pradesh State Women’s Hockey Academy, Gwalior in the 2016 Rio Olympics, had left their mark in the Indian hockey team on the world stage. Five players coached from Madhya Pradesh State Women’s Hockey Academy also represented the country in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. They include Sushila Chanu, Reena Khokar, Monica, Rajni and Vandana Kataria.
Smt. Scindia informed that in order to revive hockey in the state, the Madhya Pradesh government had established the State Women’s Hockey Academy in Gwalior in the year 2006 where selected players of the country are coached. This modern academy with world class all facilities has given international platform to many players.
Indian women’s hockey team members
Members of the Indian Women’s Hockey team include Sushri Rani Rampal (Captain), Savita Punia, Deep Grace Ekka, Nisha, Gurjit Kaur, Salima Tete, Udita, Monika, Nikki Pradhan, Neha, P. Sushila Chanu, Vandana Kataria, Navneet Kaur, Navjot Kaur, Sharmila Devi, Lalremsiami, E Rajni, Reena Khokar and Namita Toppo.
Performance of Indian team
The Indian women’s hockey team achieved a historic feat by reaching the semi-finals of the Olympics for the first time. In the bronze medal match, the Indian team had to face a 3-4 defeat to England by a very close margin. Earlier, India had entered the semi-finals by defeating Olympic and world champions Australia in the quarter-finals. In this match, India defeated Australia by 1-0. The performance of the Indian women’s hockey team in league matches was commendable.
