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00:00First of all, I think wonderful performance by the Indian men's hockey team to win two
00:20consecutive Olympic bronze medals.
00:23We have to remember that we are the only country who has won two medals in the last two Olympics.
00:29And so a very consistent performance at a high level from the players.
00:34And now we have to keep on building on this.
00:37I think it's great to see the HIL revived after seven years.
00:42Because a strong domestic league is so important for any nation.
00:47I think the Junior World Cup is also coming up this year.
00:49So in terms of building for the future, our junior program must be very strong.
00:56It was a bit disappointing that the women's team did not qualify for Paris.
01:01So fingers crossed that we will be able to develop a strong pool of women's players who
01:07can qualify, not just qualify for LA, but also go on to challenge for a medal like we
01:12did at Tokyo.
01:13Yeah, I think it's a matter of great pride that Harmanpreet has been nominated for the
01:38Khel Ratna Award.
01:40I've had the privilege of seeing Harman since he was 16, 17 years old.
01:44So I'm not surprised actually in how good he has been over the last decade or so for
01:49Indian hockey.
01:50He's one of the most experienced players in the world, three consecutive Olympics for
01:54India, two medals, leading the team from the front, leading by example, highest goal scorer
01:59at Paris.
02:00So just a simply fantastic performance.
02:04And I'm so happy to see that he always had the talent and the capability, but he also
02:09has such a great temperament, a good head on his shoulders.
02:13And he's been a wonderful leader and lovely to see that.
02:18And yeah, just so proud as a hockey player, especially standing here at the National Stadium.
02:24I myself have so many fond memories of having played here back in the day when it was the
02:29old stadium, old pitch, concrete stands, but to be here.
02:39Yeah, you know, there are very few people who have the kind of experience and expertise
02:57that a Srijesh would have.
02:59And Srijesh is great in working with young youngsters, young kids, transferring his knowledge
03:07that he has.
03:08He's such a great personality and character.
03:11And I wish him all the best in this new role as head coach of the junior team.
03:14And like I said before, our junior program is the fulcrum of Indian hockey for the future.
03:21So I wish him all the best for the Junior World Cup later this year.
03:37It's very important to know that it's been convened in the first seven days of the new
03:46year with a new outlook towards holistic development of the athletes.
03:53It's a 360-degree approach that Honorable Minister Sir is wanting to propagate.
03:58And that's the reason why the constitution of such a diverse MOC has been made.
04:06And there are people from all across, all steps, or rather all stakeholders of the entire
04:12sporting ecosystem being a part of this.
04:15There were brilliant ideas and suggestions that came forward from the rest of the members.
04:20And the ministry assured all of us that most of them are already in the process.
04:25And we will be able to see the results very soon.
04:27One question on Manohar, who will be getting the prestigious Khel Vakna Award, a lot of
04:31shooters like you, Abindra have got, she's also among there now, how does it feel like?
04:38Well, very good.
04:39I think Manohar is a shooter par excellence and she's performed brilliantly.
04:42She's the, I mean, only single games, double Olympic medalist, and nothing more, I mean,
04:51nobody has deserved it more than her.
04:53And I'm sure that awards are a great form of motivation.
04:57But when we start playing, it's not the awards that is the goal.