Xtra Time Web Desk: It has been quite an awe inspiring performance from the Indian women’s hockey team at the Tokyo Olympics. Rani Rampal and her team missed winning a medal after losing 3-4 to Great Britain in the bronze medal match on Friday. As recognition to their effort, the Haryana government has announced a cash reward of ₹50 lakh each for the state’s nine women’s hockey players on Friday.
The Chief Minister of Haryana Manohar Lal Khattar tweeted, ” Haryana government will award ₹50 lakhs each to the nine members of the Olympic women’s hockey team who are from Haryana”.
Back in Haryana and Punjab, families of many players remained glued to their television sets to watch in anticipation of an Indian win.
At the end of the game, skipper Rani’s father Rampal told the media at his Shahabad home in Kurukshetra that the Indian team played well and were unlucky to lose out on its maiden Olympic medal.
He said the team’s performance at the Olympics will have a positive impact on the game and will encourage youngsters to take up the sport.
Goalkeeper Savita Punia’s father Mahender Punia said there was no need to feel dejected.
“Match result may not be on their side, but they played well,” he said.
Neha Goyal’s mother Savitri turned emotional while watching the game.
Notably, most of the women hockey players come from humble backgrounds.
With Inputs from PTI