New Delhi: Wishes poured in from all corners as Indian junior hockey team clinched the Hockey World Cup after a gap of 15 years. Harjeet Singh-led squad, who were in brilliant form right throughout the series, defeated Belgium 2-1 to clinch the title.
The Indian Under-21 team dominated the European side right from the start. Gurjant Singh provided the lead as early as the eighth minute with a killer reverse flick, beating the Belgian goal-keeper to the far post.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Indian team on their triumph.
Soon after India reclaimed the title, Modi tweeted, "Extremely proud of our youngsters! Congratulations to our junior hockey team for winning the #JuniorHockeyWorldCup."
Extremely proud of our youngsters! Congratulations to our junior hockey team for winning the #JuniorHockeyWorldCup.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 18, 2016
The Prime Minister said that the win will make the sport more popular in the country.
The #JuniorHockeyWorldCup win augurs well for the future of Indian hockey & will make the sport even more popular among youngsters.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 18, 2016
The win has brought the focus back on India's national sport, where at the senior level, we have eight Olympic titles and one World Cup.
