Indian hockey players must work harder for Paris Olympics: Ajit Pal Singh

New Delhi: When the Indian hockey team won the bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics, there was a wave of happiness all over the country. After 41 years, India has finally clinched an Olympic medal in hockey. On this momentous occasion, ETV Bharat had a special conversation with the Indian hockey legend and former India captain, Ajit Pal Singh. Ajit Pal Sigh was part of the highly successful Indian hockey team in the 1970s that won two Bronze medals in the Olympics and won the Hockey World Cup in 1975.

The legendary centre-half was part of the Indian hockey team that won the Bronze medals in the 1968 Mexico City and 1972 Munich Olympics. He also represented India in three Hockey World Cups. In the 1971 Hockey World Cup in Barcelona, the team finished third. Two years later, Ajit Pal Singh was part of the team that finished second in the 1973 Hockey World Cup 1973. The shining moment of his career came two years later, the 1975 Hockey World Cup in Barcelona. This time, under Ajit Pal Singh's captaincy, India won the Hockey World Cup.

Ajit Pal Singh during a conversation with ETV Bharat said that he is proud that India has won the Olympic medal in hockey after a long time, but we can do better. He added that it's been a very good performance. He says at one time it felt like the hockey talent was not up to the mark in the country since the performance levels kept on declining but this Bronze medal will once again work to promote hockey in the country. He further added that our players must work harder and convert this bronze medal into silver and gold.

Ajit Pal Singh added that in his time when Indian hockey was at its peak and India's name was recognized all over the world. At that time, the competition was less than what it is today. He added that today matches are held on artificial turf and the competition along with the use of technology has increased significantly. So this medal is a big achievement. Indian is one of the top four teams in the world today and from here we will go only higher.