The streets of Amritsar erupted in celebration on Sunday morning as members of the Indian hockey team, fresh from their bronze medal win at the 2024 Paris Olympics, touched down at Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport. Despite the pouring rain, a large crowd of enthusiastic fans, family members, and political figures turned out to extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to the team.

Among the returning heroes were 10 players from Punjab who played a crucial role in securing the bronze medal, marking the team's second consecutive Olympic medal in hockey. The players included Captain Harmanpreet Singh, vice-captain Hardik Singh, and fellow team members Manpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Sukhjit Singh, Gurjant Singh, Shamsher Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, and Jugraj Singh. They were joined by their coach and families for the grand reception.

The arrival scene was a vibrant display of traditional Punjabi fervor. The players were greeted with the beats of dhols, festive garlands, and a host of floral tributes from the crowd. Key political figures such as local MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Punjab Cabinet Ministers Harbhajan Singh ETO and Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, and former hockey team captain and Congress MLA Pargat Singh were on hand to honour the players' achievements.

A special highlight of the day was the visit to the Golden Temple, where the team paid their respects and sought blessings. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami presented the players with a model of Sachkhand Harmandar Sahib, religious texts, and ‘siropas’ — traditional robes of honour.

Dhami praised the team for their achievement and expressed pride in full representation of Punjab’s talent on the national stage. He urged the youth of Punjab to draw inspiration from the players' success and pursue sports actively.

Team Captain Harmanpreet Singh conveyed his gratitude and joy at the reception, emphasizing the significance of the Golden Temple visit. He acknowledged that the team’s success was a result of collective effort and divine blessings, and expressed hope for even greater future achievements.

Former captain Manpreet Singh reflected on the journey, recalling a vow made before the tournament to offer prayers at the Golden Temple if the team won a medal. He spoke of the growing support for hockey in Punjab and the strength of the community’s love for the sport.

Punjab Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO and former Indian hockey captain Pargat Singh both expressed their admiration and support for the team. ETO emphasized the need for better sports infrastructure and promised to work on creating a state-of-the-art hockey stadium in Amritsar.

Pargat Singh, himself an Olympian, highlighted the importance of encouraging youth to participate in sports and reduce drug abuse, proposing the introduction of more astroturfs across Punjab.

As the celebration continued, the team’s historic achievement was lauded as a testament to their skill, dedication, and the rich sporting culture of Punjab. The return of the hockey heroes not only marked a moment of pride for the state but also set the stage for future successes in Indian sports.