Asiad champion Indian hockey team returns home

The Incheon Asian games gold medal winning Indian men's hockey team returned home to a rousing welcome by Hockey India (HI), fans and friends at the Indira Gandhi International airport in New Delhi today.

New Delhi: The Incheon Asian games gold medal winning Indian men's hockey team returned home to a rousing welcome by Hockey India (HI), fans and friends at the Indira Gandhi International airport in New Delhi on Sunday.

The Sardar Singh-led team landed at the airport at 1 am and were received by Hockey India President Mariamma Koshy and CEO Elena Norman amid the beat of drums and dhols.

"It's a proud moment for the whole country. We have worked hard for last 8 months to achieve this target and now we feel proud having achieved it. There was pressure since we could not win Asiad gold for last 16 years, but we were determined to win this time," Indian hockey team captain Sardar Singh said.

India clinched the gold at the Asian games after 16 years, defeating arch rival Pakistan in a nail-biting penalty shootout.

The win ensures India a direct ticket to the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.