Kolkata: On Sunday, prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the junior hockey team for winning the World Cup and said it is a great kick for the future of Indian hockey, making it a popular sport among the youth of the country.
“Extremely proud of our youngsters! Congratulations to our junior hockey team for winning the #JuniorHockeyWorldCup,” he tweeted. He added that the “win augurs well for the future of Indian hockey & will make the sport even more popular among youngsters.”
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan also addressed India’s victory saying the team displayed superb play. In her message, she also said there was magnificent coordination among the players and unbeatable defence.
India produced an extra ordinary performance to outclass maiden finalists Belgium 2-1 and bagged their second Hockey Junior World Cup title after a 15-year-gap.
Gurjant Singh (eighth minute) and Simranjeet Singh (22nd) scored the two goals for India, who had won their previous Under-21 world title in 2001 in Hobart, Australia.
Belgium scored their goal at the death via Fabrice van Bockrijck at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium here. With this win, India became only the second nation after Germany to win the Under-21 title more than once.
Germany, who overpowered Australia 3-0 to secure the third spot on the podium, has won six India produced a clinical performance here on Sunday to outclass maiden finalists Belgium 2-1 and clinch their second Hockey Junior World Cup title after a 15-year-gap.
Gurjant Singh (eighth minute) and Simranjeet Singh (22nd) scored the two goals for India, who had won their previous Under-21 world title in 2001 in Hobart, Australia.
Belgium scored their goal at the death via Fabrice van Bockrijck at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium here. The goal didn’t matter much for India as it was the final action of the match.
With this win, India became only the second nation after Germany to win the Under-21 title more than once. Germany, who overpowered Australia 3-0 to secure the third spot on the podium, have won six titles.
(With inputs from DNA)