Ranchi / Gumla: Sylvanus Dungdung, now 73 and a member of the Indian Medal Medal Hockey team from the Moscow Olympics in 1980, glued to TV at his home in Housing Colonies here since morning.
And when he watched Manpreet children Singh locked the horns with mighty Germany for third place at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics, memories of 41 years ago came back.
He hoped the women’s team also took home the bronze medal by beating England on Friday morning.
Given the 41-year-old gold medal moment, Dungdung, said, “I played right in the last game.
My memory failed me and I don’t remember who our opponents but they returned from behind and equalized.
At the moment the game was dying, I received The ball in half of us and dribbled past their players and pushed him to Surender Sodhi, who put it behind the net.
“In Moscow’s game, the Indian team led by V Bishkaran won gold after beating Spain 4-3.
Dressed in a tee shirt, Dungdung looked cheerful even though he faced some health problems including loss of hearing after an accident on the road last year.
A Dhayanchand Award recipient and former Indian army man, Dungdung said the Indian bronze medal would be proven for a moment to the rise of national sports.
He said, “Humko Bahut Khushi Hua.
Humara Ladka Log Germany KO ITNA ZOR SE PATKA KI WO LOG ZAMEEN PAR LOG HO style (I am very happy.
Our children beat the German players so much so they began to roll in the field .
“” We won the Olympic medal after 41 years.
Now, it will be a double pleasure if our girls bring home another bronze medal.
I hope this is the beginning and our team recaptures their old status as a global superpower hockey again, “added Dungdung, who inspired the generation of hockey players in Jharkhand.
Other Hockey Olympics from the state, Manohar Topno, (1984, Los Angeles), still repent of a semi-final place with a mustache.
“Indian forces currently have talented players.
It has a blend of biodiversity of penalty specialists , going forward and good defenders.
Goalkeeper P Sreejesh has been fun to watch, “Topno, a resident of Gumla, told Toi.
He said the victory of the Red Medal U India will be eager to believe and put them in a dispute to complete the podium at the Paris Olympics 2024.
Ajit Lakra, another player from Jharkhand (then Bihar who is not divided) which is part of the Indian men’s hockey team at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, said the Indian transition from Masters Of Grass to Champions of Astroturf is now complete with a bronze medal victory.
“We played on the grass while the game developed rapidly after the grass area entered.
New rules were introduced to benefit the European team and speed into the key.
We take the time to adapt to such conditions and rules.
Now, our infrastructure is being made.
Even the Center for Hockey Smaller ones now have turf, “Lakra, head of the coach at the Hockey Association of Maharashtra, said.