By Prarthana Hazarika | The Meghalayan Express
Shillong Oct 3: India’s historic hockey triumph has sparked celebrations across the country, with Hockey India Executive Member Tapan Das crediting the collective efforts of coaches, technical experts, sports administrators and the government for the teams’ remarkable performances.
Speaking to The MeghalayanExpress, Das described the atmosphere surrounding the Indian contingent as electrifying, emphasising that the achievement was a moment of immense pride for the nation and a significant boost for Indian hockey.
“This is a very good day for Indian hockey. The atmosphere is wonderful, and this achievement will send a strong message across the country,” Das said.
Reflecting on the factors behind India’s success, the Hockey India Executive Member highlighted the importance of sustained institutional support and the encouragement extended to players throughout their preparation and participation in major international competitions.
Institutional support fuels India’s rise
According to Das, the contribution of coaches and technical experts, alongside the support provided by the sports administration and the government, has been instrumental in helping Indian players compete with confidence on the international stage.
He stressed that players perform with greater determination when they know that the system behind them is committed to their development and success.
“The support from the coaches and technical experts, along with the encouragement from the government and sports administration, has been very important. Our players are moving forward with confidence because they know they have support behind them,” he said.
Das also acknowledged the encouragement extended to both the men’s and women’s teams, underlining how institutional backing has helped strengthen Indian hockey across categories.
Women’s team earns special praise
While the men’s team has continued to demonstrate its competitive strength, Das was equally appreciative of the women’s team, whose performances he described as encouraging.
He noted that the women’s team had performed beyond expectations, highlighting the importance of recognising their achievements and continuing to provide them with the necessary support, infrastructure and opportunities.
For Das, the progress of both teams reflects the growing strength of Indian hockey and the importance of developing a strong foundation for future international competitions.
A victory beyond the scoreboard
Das believes that victories on the international stage carry significance far beyond the final score. Such achievements inspire young athletes, encourage children to take up the sport and strengthen the country’s sporting culture.
He emphasised that every major victory by the Indian teams can motivate aspiring hockey players to pursue their ambitions and believe that they, too, can represent the country.
“When our players perform like this on the international stage, it encourages children to take up the sport and motivates them to work harder,” he said.
He added that the players’ determination and fighting spirit serve as an example for the next generation, reinforcing the importance of discipline, preparation and teamwork.
Eyes on the 2028 Olympic Games
Looking ahead, Das highlighted the significance of the teams’ progress towards the 2028 Olympic Games, describing Olympic qualification as an important milestone for Indian hockey.
He said the focus must now remain on maintaining the momentum, strengthening preparations and ensuring that the players continue to receive the support required to compete at the highest level.
Sustained investment in coaching, technical expertise, player development and infrastructure, he indicated, will remain essential as India prepares for future international challenges.
For Indian hockey, the task ahead is to build on the achievements, maintain consistency and translate the confidence generated by recent performances into further success.
Concluding his remarks, Das congratulated the Indian teams and everyone associated with their achievement, extending his wishes to the players, coaching staff and support personnel.
The triumph, he said, represents a proud moment for the country and a reminder of what collective effort, strong support and determination can achieve.
As Indian hockey celebrates another significant milestone, the performances of the men’s and women’s teams offer renewed optimism for the future and inspiration to the next generation of players dreaming of representing India on the world stage.
