Tokyo Olympics: PM Narendra Modi praises 'historic' bronze for Indian men's hockey team

India won their first Olympics medal after 41 years, defeating Germany 5-4 in the bronze medal playoff game of the Tokyo Olympics.

Indian men hockey team celebrate after scoring against Germany in the bronze medal playoff match at the Tokyo Olympics. (Photo: PTI)

Indian men's hockey team defeated Germany 5-4 in the bronze medal playoff match of the Tokyo Olympics on Thursday (August 5). It was the hockey team's first Olympic medal after 41 years and Prime Minister Narendra Modi immediately congratulated the team for the 'historic' achievement.

"Historic! A day that will be etched in the memory of every Indian. Congratulations to our Men’s Hockey Team for bringing home the Bronze. With this feat, they have captured the imagination of the entire nation, especially our youth. India is proud of our Hockey team," PM Narendra Modi tweeted.

Historic! A day that will be etched in the memory of every Indian.

Congratulations to our Men's Hockey Team for bringing home the Bronze. With this feat, they have captured the imagination of the entire nation, especially our youth. India is proud of our Hockey team. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 5, 2021

The eight-time former gold-winners, who battled a heartbreaking slump in the last four decades, made the resurgence of the last couple of years count in the best way possible with an Olympic medal. Simranjeet Singh (17th, 34th minutes) scored a brace, while Hardik Singh (27th), Harmanpreet Singh (29th) and Rupinder Pal Singh (31st) were the other goal getters for India.

President Ram Nath Kovind and Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated the Indian men’s hockey team on winning the bronze medal. “Congratulations to our men’s hockey team for winning an Olympic Medal in hockey after 41 years. The team showed exceptional skills, resilience and determination to win. This historic victory will start a new era in hockey and will inspire the youth to take up and excel in the sport,” President Kovind said in a tweet.

Congratulations to our men's hockey team for winning an Olympic Medal in hockey after 41 years. The team showed exceptional skills, resilience & determination to win. This historic victory will start a new era in hockey and will inspire the youth to take up and excel in the sport — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 5, 2021

Congratulating Team India, Home Minister Amit Shah in a tweet said, “Congratulations #TeamIndia. A moment of immense pride and joy for every Indian that our Men`s Hockey Team has won the Bronze Medal at #Tokyo2020. You have made the entire nation proud.”

Congratulations #TeamIndia.

A moment of immense pride and joy for every Indian that our Men's Hockey Team has won the Bronze Medal at #Tokyo2020. You have made the entire nation proud. pic.twitter.com/Nl9LIujhVR — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 5, 2021

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma congratulated the team and tweeted, “This BRONZE is our GOLD! Our Hockey Men`s Team mesmerised as they registered a spectacular victory at #TokyoOlympics2020 winning a medal after 41 years!”

This BRONZE is our GOLD!

sticks did wonder today.

Our Hockey Men's Team mesmerised as they registered a spectacular victory at #TokyoOlympics2020 winning a medal after 41 years!

Congratulations #TeamIndia @TheHockeyIndia

We are cheering for your success at #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/DugZgyAGJt — Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) August 5, 2021

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, “Brilliant in Blue Congratulations Indian Men’s #Hockey Team on the spectacular victory to give us an Olympic medal after 41 long years. This historic win at #Tokyo2020 will inspire generation of sportspersons. All the very best for future.”

Brilliant in Blue
Congratulations Indian Men's #Hockey Team on the spectacular victory to give us an Olympic medal after 41 long years. This historic win at #Tokyo2020 will inspire generation of sportspersons. All the very best for future. #Cheer4India @thehockeyindia — Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) August 5, 2021

It took 41 years, but the dream of every Indian was finally realised on Thursday as the men’s hockey team beat Germany 5-4 to win the bronze medal here at the Oi Hockey Stadium – North Pitch.