Amritsar (Punjab) [India]Punjab Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Harbhajan Singh has announced that the state government has decided to provide Rs 100 crore ($100 million) to each player of the Punjab men's hockey team after they won a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics.

The Indian men's hockey team achieved a historic feat in Paris by winning back-to-back bronze medals at the Olympics for the first time in 52 years.

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After their 2-1 win over Spain in the bronze medal match thanks to two goals from captain Harmanpreet Singh, the Hockey Federation of India announced a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh for each player of the men's hockey team and Rs 7.5 lakh for each member of the men's hockey team's support staff in recognition of their outstanding performance.

CPI leader Harbhajan announced that Punjab players in the Indian team will get Rs 1 crore each.

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“We are happy that the Indian hockey team has won a bronze medal in the Olympics. The Punjab government has decided to give Rs 1 crore to each player of the Indian hockey team from Punjab. We hope that the Indian hockey team will win the gold medal in the Olympics,” Harbhajan told ANI.

Indian National Congress MP Gurjit Singh Aujla added, “It is a matter of pride that the Indian hockey team has won a bronze medal in the Olympics. Most of the players are from Punjab. This team needs to be supported economically so that the young generation is also motivated to take up ‘Sports’.”

Punjab Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal has assured that his government will provide necessary assistance to ensure that the Indian hockey team returns with a gold medal in the upcoming Olympics.

“The entire state of Punjab is proud of the achievements made by the Indian hockey team… The Punjab government has taken many initiatives to improve the standard of sports in the state… The Punjab government will provide necessary assistance to ensure that the Indian hockey team wins gold medals in the Olympics,” Dhaliwal told ANI’s ‘Olympics’.

After arriving in Amritsar, Indian national team player Shamsher Singh vowed that the Indian team will win a gold medal next time. “We have received a lot of support from everyone… next time we will definitely win the gold medal,” he said.

“It was my first Olympics and I won a medal for the country. We will do better next time,” added Sukhjeet Singh.

Indian national team players returned to India on Saturday and paid tribute to legendary Major Dhyan Chand in the national capital.

Two players, including captain Harmanpreet, arrived in Amritsar on Sunday. Upon arrival, they were welcomed by their family members, state minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Congress MP Gurjit Singh Aujla and others. (ANI)

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