5 hockey players from Punjab selected for Rio

Jalandhar, July 12, 2016: Rio Olympic in Brazil would witness maximum participation of Punjabi players in men’s hockey squad as 5 players from the state selected for the Indian team today. The players includes Manpreet Singh (Midfielder), Rupinderpal Singh (Defender), Harmanpreet Singh (Defender), Akashdeep Singh (forward) and Ramandeep Singh (forward). It may be mentioned here that all these players have international exposure as Manpreet Singh has played 156 National/International matches, Rupinderpal Singh 144, Harmanpreet Singh 16, Akashdeep Singh 102 and Ramandeep Singh participated in 72 matches.
The Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal , who also holds the charge of sports and youth affairs department, has congratulated the Indian team, especially the players from Punjab. He said that after winning the medals at champion’s trophy and Sultan Azlan shah cup, the Indian team would bring laurels to the nation by striking the gold medal in hockey to end the drought of 36 years after 1980 Moscow Olympic.
He said that the Punjab Government has set the target of maximum participation of Punjabi players for Rio Olympic, 2016, which would be achieved after the final announcement of Indian contingent for Olympic. He said that Punjab is the only state, having maximum 6 international Astroturf’s developed with Rs. 77 crore , provides a big push to the hockey culture in Punjab. He also said that as per the state's sports policy, any player winning an individual or team gold in Olympics will be awarded with Rs 2.25 crore. The silver and bronze medallists would take home Rs 1.01 crore and Rs 51 lakh, respectively. Besides that a MOU was also signed with the Victoria University Australia for scientific development of sports in the state.
It’s worth mentioning that players from Punjab have made a remarkable contribution in the Indian team who bagged the Silver medal in champion trophy, recently concluded in London. Earlier Indian team has also won the silver medal in sultan Azlan shah hockey cup in Malaysia.