Chandigarh, September 9- The Indian women's hockey team, which played semi-finals for the first time in history, at Tokyo Olympics-2020, led by Rani Rampal along with other players of the team, Neha, Nisha, Sharmila and Savita Punia and Cadet World Championship gold winner Komal Panchal paid a courtesy call on Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal at his residence today and expressed their gratitude to him for honouring and fecilitating sportspersons.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister honoured the athletes with awards.  Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs, Sh. Sandeep Singh was also present on the occasion.

The Chief Minister said that Haryana Government is making continuous efforts to promote sports.  He said that as per its sports policy, Haryana Government is giving equal rewards, government jobs and other facilities to Paralympic athletes at par with other sportspersons. The sports policy of the state government is being appreciated all over the world and it is a matter of pride that the players of Haryana are putting India's name on the world map.

He said that it is necessary for any sportsperson to play with teamwork.  Recalling the day of the hockey match, the Chief Minister said that he had also stopped the meeting to watch the match and announced a reward of Rs 50 lakh on the same day. 

Coach Pritam Siwach, who came with the hockey players, was also offered to be appointed as the Deputy Director of Sports.

On this occasion, the captain of the Indian women's hockey team, Rani Rampal, presented hockey and T-shirts autographed by all the players of the team to the Chief Minister.