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Bangkok hockey heroes felicitated

The Indian hockey team which won the gold medal at the Bangkok Asian Games after a gap of 32 years was felicitated at a colourful function at the Karnataka State Hockey Association (KSHA) stadium in Bangalore yesterday.

The function, held as part of National Sports Day celebrations to commemorate the birthday of hockey wizard Dhyan Chand, was jointly organised by the KSHA and Sports Authority of India, Southern Centre.

A local computer company 'Scotty Computers' presented Rs one lakh each to the players and coaches of the winning team, while Jagadguru Jagjit Singhgi, the spiritual leader of Sikhs in the city, presented a purse of Rs 20,000 to each member of the team on behalf of Namdari Seeds.

In a commendable gesture, initiated by coach M K Kaushik, the Bangkok heroes donated a purse of Rs two lakh to Gopal Bhengra, who had represented the country in the 1978 World Cup. Bhengra is believed to be in distress.

Two exhibition matches were held to mark the celebrations. Olympians of yesteryear, led by Ashok Kumar, took on a team of young and talented players from various schools in the city, while the Bangkok heroes, led by Dhanraj Pillay, played against the SAI Centre for Excellence.

While the veteran Olympians had to fight back to draw 2-2, the highly talented SAI boys put it across the Bangkok heroes 2-1.

UNI