India women hockey players break down while speaking with Modi

MEMBERS of the Indian women’s hockey team on Friday (6) broke down while speaking with prime minister Narendra Modi over the telephone after their loss to Great Britain in the bronze-medal match.

India came back strongly into the game after conceding two goals and took a lead but the 2016 Olympic gold-winners had the last laugh by winning the game 4-3.

Modi called the team and consoled the distraught Indian players, who were found to be sobbing.

Man arrested on charges of hurling casteist slurs at Vandana Katariya's family

“All of you have played really well. You left everything in the past five years, sweating it out for the sport. Your hard work and sweat didn't get a medal but it has become the inspiration for crores of girls in the country. I congratulate the coach and all of you,” Modi, who also called the men’s team a day earlier after they won the bronze, said as the team gathered around the phone.

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The Indian side, which was playing its third Olympics, had a disastrous start to the tournament by losing three consecutive matches. But Rani Rampal’s girls made a strong comeback and reached the quarter-finals by winning their final two group games. They defeated favourites Australia in the quarte-finals to make the semi-finals but lost to Argentina 1-2 despite having an early lead.

This is the second time that the Indian women’s hockey team ended fourth at the Olympic Games after 1980. In 2016, they finished 12th out of as many teams.

Modi praised Vandana Katariya, who scored four goals for India in this Olympics including a hat-trick and yet saw casteist slurs allegedly hurled at her family back home, saying, "Vandana and everyone played well. And everyone thought Salima (Tete) was brilliant.”

Modi urged the players to stop crying saying, “Please everyone, stop crying the entire country is taking pride in you. After so many years hockey, India’s identity, has been reborn. This is all because of your efforts.” The prime minister also asked about the health of Navneet Kaur, who was seen with bandages on her face to stop the bleeding from an injury sustained during the match.

Rampal told Modi that the forward had to get stitches and thanked him for his encouragement.

The 70-year-old leader also applauded head coach Sjoerd Marijne for his contribution.

“You have tried your level best, I am seeing how you have encouraged them. I am thankful to you, I wish you all the best for the future,” Modi said.

To that, the former Dutch hockey player responded, “Thank you for your encouragement sir. The girls are a bit emotional right now, but I have told them to take pride in what they have achieved.”