Punjab CM Announces ₹1 Crore Reward for State’s Olympic Hockey Bronze Winners

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday announced a cash award of Rs 1 crore for each hockey player from the state who was part of the Indian men’s team that won a bronze medal at the Paris Olympic Games.

“As per our sports policy, we will give 1 crore to each bronze medal-winning player from Punjab. Chak De India. Prize,” Bhagwant Mann posted on X.

A brace from skipper Harmanpreet Singh and PR Sreejesh’s effortless saves secured a bronze medal for India at the Paris Olympics with a 2-1 win over Spain at the Yves du Manoir Stadium on Friday.

In an electrifying atmosphere, the Indian team added a fourth medal to their tally at the Paris Olympics, after being down 0-1 in the first quarter. Sreejesh, who was playing his last game for India, went to the ground, filled with emotions, as the rest of the team joined him to celebrate the momentous occasion in India’s hockey history.

India won consecutive bronze hockey medals for the first time in 52 years, since the 1972 Munich Games. Under the guidance of coach Craig Fulton, India made history by securing back-to-back bronze medals at the Olympics. Goals from Harmanpreet Singh (30′, 33′) were enough to see India across the finish line. For Spain, Marc Miralles (18′) was the sole goal scorer.

India had an upper hand in their head-to-head record against Spain at the Olympics. In their ten meetings, India had defeated the Spanish side seven times. Emotions ran high as India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh played his final international game. Hockey India honored him with the title of the ‘God of Indian Modern Hockey’ before the bronze medal match.

With the chants of ‘India’ echoing throughout the stadium, India tried to break down Spain’s defense at the beginning of the first quarter.India had the first opportunity in the bronze medal match when Hardik passed the ball to Sukhjeet, who sent it wide of the goalpost.

India punished Spain for not capitalizing on their chances and equalized before the second quarter. Captain Harmanpreet Singh converted a penalty corner with his trademark drag flick, passing the ball through Calzado and Rodriguez to make the score 1-1.

India took the lead for the first time moments into the third quarter. It was yet another penalty corner for India, and Harmanpreet once again converted the opportunity to make it 2-1.
In the final 40 seconds, Spain earned a last-gasp penalty corner, giving them a chance to equalize, but Sreejesh stepped up with a flying save to seal the bronze medal for India.