Hockey stars get rousing welcome in hometown Sonepat
Mukesh Tandon
Tribune News Service
Sonepat, August 10
Hockey players Neha Goyal, Nisha Warsi and Sharmila, who put up a stellar performance by reaching the semi-finals in the Tokyo Olympics, returned home today to a rousing welcome.
Overwhelmed
We are overwhelmed by the kind of response we have got in spite of not winning a medal. The experience that we have gained will stand us in good stead. — Rani Rampal
High on Confidence
After having lost the first three matches, the team was demoralised. But the team bounced back. The confidence level was high after defeating Australia. — Neha Goyal
Future looks bright
The team played well, but lost by a whisker. We defeated the world’s second best team. The future of women’s hockey looks bright.— Nisha Warsi
Their parents, hundreds of budding hockey players and members of the Sonepat Samaj Panchayat gathered at Maharana Pratap chowk on the Sonepat-Delhi road to welcome the hockey stars.
A procession was taken out from Maharana Pratap Chowk to the hockey academy in the industrial area here, covering a distance of 10 km. Several vehicles, tractors and two-wheelers decorated with flowers were part of the procession.
A beaming Nisha said, “We did not think that we would get such a grand welcome. The team played well, but lost by a narrow margin. We defeated the world’s second best team. The team has made a good start. The future looks good.”
Neha chipped in. “We three were very excited as it was our first Olympics. After having lost the first three matches, the team was demoralised. But the team bounced back. The confidence level was high after defeating Australia,” she said.
Neha felt sorry for not bringing a medal. She, however, was hopeful that the team would win a medal in the next tournament.
Sharmila thanked people for the warm welcome. “We reached the semi-final after 41 years. It was a great moment for the team members. We will start training after a break of 15 to 20 days.”
The three visited the house of their coach Arjuna awardee Pritam Siwach before visiting the hockey academy, where they had practised for years.
Hisar: Udita Duhan, who is among the rising stars in the Indian women’s hockey, returned home tonight to a warm welcome by her mother Geeta Devi, relatives, friends, fans and city based hockey coach Azad Singh Malik.
