Punjab which had 10 of its players in the 18-member India men’s hockey team that defeated Germany 5-4 to win the bronze has erupted in celebration on Thursday, Aug 5. Apart from other felicitations scheduled after the team arrives back to Punjab, the state announced a cash award of ₹ 1 crore each to all ten members.

Terming the achievement of the team “A proud and historic moment for the nation,” Chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh congratulated the team and tweeting: “A tremendous achievement to be finishing on the podium after 41 years. The hockey bronze is worth its weight in gold.”

Team captain Manpreet Singh, vice-captain Harmanpreet Singh, Varun Kumar, Rupinder Pal Singh, Hardik Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Gurjant Singh, Mandeep Singh, Shamsher Singh, and Simranjeet Singh were the team members from Punjab.

Punjab Sports Minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi who announced the cash award said “On this historic day, I’m delighted to announce the cash award of ₹1 crore each. We await your return to celebrate the much deserving medal in the Olympics.”

Leaders from Punjab took to social media to shower appreciation on the team.

“Four decades of wait finished-off with a thriller performance. Congratulations to the Men-in-Blue winning the bronze in hockey,” said state Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa. “This victory is huge and will go a long way in re-energizing the sport in the country,” he tweeted.