A stunning to dream campaign at the Tokyo Games 2020 for the Indian Hockey teams as they have both inscribed history in the men’s and women’s field hockey by achieving their highest ever in the International Hockey Federation’s World Ranking after their tremendous display at the Olympics.
Men's Team rise to 3rd and Women's Team to 8th in the FIH World Rankings.
Both Men's and Women's teams achieved their highest ever FIH world rankings.https://t.co/jr45rXtrl8#IndiaKaGame
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 7, 2021
The Indian Men’s Hockey team had ended their 41-year dry spell of an Olympic by finally securing the Bronze Medal after beating Germany in a nail-biting finish which ended 5-4 in favour of India. The men in blue rose to 3rd in the International Hockey Federation (FIH) World Rankings, behind Belgium and Australia, respectively.
“It’s a great feeling that we won the historic Bronze Medal as well as achieving the highest ranking on the back of our solid performance in the Olympics.” said the men’s team Chief Coach Graham Reid.
The Indian Women’s team have as well achieved their highest ever world ranking at eight to their previous best at world number nine. The Indian women’s team achieved this historic finish by making it to their first-ever entry into an Olympic semi-final match. A 2-1 defeat to Argentina put India in the bronze medal match against Great Britain. India’s final run at the Tokyo Olympics ended in defeat in what was a very closely contested game that finished 4-3 to the British. India finishing at 4th levelled their all-time best finish at the Olympics since 1980.
“Finishing in the top four at Olympics, and climbing to the 8th position in world rankings, is a very big thing for us, and this has boosted our confidence, it will certainly help us grow going forward.” said the captain of the Indian women’s hockey team Rani Rampal.
Both the team’s captains and coaches have had a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has congratulated them on their great success after 41 years.
I have been getting many requests from citizens across India to name the Khel Ratna Award after Major Dhyan Chand. I thank them for their views.
Respecting their sentiment, the Khel Ratna Award will hereby be called the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award!
Jai Hind! pic.twitter.com/zbStlMNHdq
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 6, 2021
Later that day the Prime Minister had announced the renaming of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award to Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award after the late great and legendary hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand. Overall its has been a huge step forward in the sport of field hockey in India.
