The Indian men’s hockey team’s coach Graham Reid on Thursday said he feels “privileged” to be a part of the game’s revival in India after the side clinched its first Olympic medal in 41 years, crediting togetherness and a team first mentality for the triumph.
“It is a fantastic feeling, it has come after a lot of sacrifices that the whole group has made,” Reid said referring to the time the players spent away from their families and in some cases, battling Covid-19 as well.
“It takes a long time to get where these athletes have gotten. All the sacrifices that go unseen,” he added after the 5-4 triumph over Germany.
“...I know that apart from the country, this group has been waiting for a medal for a fairly long time and I know how much hockey means to India and I am privileged to help play a part in that. It means a lot after being in quarantine for the last eight out of 16 months.”
India were 1-3 down in the match and Reid said one of the things that has been worked on during his stint was to never lose hope of a comeback.
“Before the game I asked the guys to make sure they bring the next level if something happens, for example, if you are down, you need to bring the next level of play and they did that very well,” Reid explained.