Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 11

Members of the Olympic bronze-winning hockey team, along with the women team’s dragflicker Gurjit Kaur, were accorded a rousing welcome upon their arrival at Sri Guru Ramdas Jee International Airport here on Wednesday. They were received by former Indian hockey player Pargat Singh, government representatives and other officials.

As soon as the players alighted from the plane, ecstatic family members, officials and others garlanded them amid showering of flower petals. Donning colourful traditional Punjabi attire, youngsters presented bhangra to the beats of dhols. Family members of the players could not hold back their emotions on seeing the surcharged environment.

Gurjit Kaur being welcomed at Amritsar airport. Photo: Vishal Kumar
Hardik Singh with his family members in Jalandhar.

The players headed to the Golden Temple to offer prayers. “We are bowled over by the hospitality, love and affection being showered by the entire nation. We all longed to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple after winning the historic Olympic bronze medal for the country,” said Manpreet, hoping hockey will again rule the hearts in the country.

Hardik, Gurjit and Harman said they lived away from their families for six months before the Olympics. “Our entire focus was to secure an elusive medal for the country.”

Harmanpreet Singh upon his arrival at Timmowal village in Amritsar. Photos: Vishal Kumar
Shamsher Singh being welcomed at Attari village. Photos: Vishal Kumar

Five stars of Amritsar — Shamsher Singh of Attari village, Dilpreet Singh of Butala village, Gurjant Singh of Khaliara village, Harmanpreet Singh of Timmowal village and Gurjit Kaur from Miadia Kalan village — were accorded a warm welcome the moment they reached their native villages. Road shows were carried out and people offered sweets and their family members arranged langar for all villagers.

Gurjant Singh embraces his mother at Khaliara village in Amritsar. Photo: Sunil Kumar

SGPC President Bibi Jagir Kaur felicitated all 11 players of the men hockey team and one member of the women’s hockey team with a siropa and a model of the Golden Temple.

Of the cash reward of Rs 1 crore, the SGPC handed over a cheque for Rs 5 lakh each to the players hailing from the state. Indian hockey team general secretary Rajinder Singh was also present during the programme.