The Indian men's hockey team's gold medal victory at the Asian Games 2023 brought jubilation to Punjab, with 10 players from the state contributing to the historic win. The squad secured a resounding 5-1 victory against Japan in the final, marking India's fourth Asian Games gold medal and their first since 2014. This win also earned India a direct qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Jalandhar's Mithapur village, renowned as a hockey nursery, erupted in celebrations as three of its players—former captain Manpreet Singh, forward Mandeep Singh, and drag-flicker Varun Kumar—achieved gold. Manpreet's mother, Manjit Kaur, expressed pride in her son's performance and the team's consistency, having previously won bronze at the Tokyo Olympics. Residents and families joined in the festivities, and special 'dholis' were called to add to the joy.
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Punjab played a crucial role in India's gold medal victory, with players like Harmanpreet Singh, Gurjant Singh, Shamsher Singh, and Jarmanjit Singh Bal hailing from various towns in the state. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar commended the team's achievement, emphasizing the significance of the win for the region and the nation.
Mann hailed the victory as a historic moment for Punjab and India's hockey legacy, while Khattar praised the Indian men's hockey team for their supremacy in the sport. The win is expected to rekindle interest and enthusiasm for hockey in India, marking a significant milestone in the sport's resurgence.
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