Back with bronze, hockey heroes get rousing welcome at Mithapur

Aparna Banerji

Tribune News Service

Mithapur (Jalandhar), Aug 11

“I’m certain we’ll play final in the next Olympics,” said a beaming Manpreet Singh, former captain and four-time Olympian, as he spoke to the media at the Mithapur gurdwara, his daughter tugging at the shiny bronze medal around his neck.

After paying obeisance at the Golden Temple, players Manpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Sukhjeet Singh and Hardik Singh reached Jalandhar, amid shouts of congratulations and shopkeepers offering them sweets and seeking autographs.

Huge posters of the Mithapur natives — Manpreet and Mandeep — were put up at the village where hockey academy players greeted them with raised sticks and danced upon their arrival. Parents, coaches, players, seniors and village elders embraced them as Mithapur erupted in joy. It took the duo half an hour to reach the gurdwara a few metres away.

Manpreet said: “It feels great to win the second consecutive bronze. Last time (Tokyo 2021 Olympics), we won it after 41 years. And now again, we have bagged a bronze. It feels wonderful to be welcomed by so many people. In 2012, we finished last. In 2016, we finished 8th, but over the years, the team’s mindset has grown strong.”

Sharing his experience, Mandeep said: “We have strong belief and faith. We played 43 minutes with 10 players against Great Britain. It was a huge achievement to win that match in the Olympics.”