Despite their recent consecutive victories, the Indian hockey stars were surprisingly overlooked by fans at the airport.
Source: Hindustan Times
“India’s Hockey Heroes Overlooked: Fans Flock to Dolly Chaiwala”
India’s hockey midfielder, a key player in the squad that secured the historic bronze at the Paris Olympics earlier this summer, shared a “shocking” and “shameful” incident. Upon their arrival at the airport, the national team was ignored as fans swarmed around internet sensation Dolly Chaiwala instead.
India’s men’s hockey team clinched the bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics with a thrilling 2-1 win against Spain in the third-place face-off last month. This hard-fought victory marked India’s back-to-back Olympic podium finishes for the first time since 1972, having previously secured third place at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago. Building on this remarkable momentum, the team also triumphed in the Asian Champions Trophy, claiming their fifth title with a hard-fought 1-0 win against China in the final last week. The team’s resilience and determination reflect their unwavering commitment to the sport and their country.
Despite their incredible back-to-back successes, India’s hockey stars were shockingly overlooked by fans at the airport, as people flocked to take selfies with internet sensation Dolly Chaiwala, who gained fame after a viral video showed him serving tea to Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.
Midfielder Hardik, recounting the incident during an interaction on the SMTV YouTube podcast, expressed his surprise and disappointment at the situation.
“I saw it with my own eyes at the airport,” said Hardik. “Harmanpreet [Singh], Mandeep [Singh], and I were there, along with 5-6 other players. Dolly Chaiwala was also present. People were busy getting photos with him and didn’t even recognize us,” he recounted.
“We started looking at each other, feeling awkward. Harmanpreet has scored over 150 goals, and Mandeep has more than 100 field goals,” he added, highlighting the team’s frustration at being overlooked despite their impressive achievements. The incident left them questioning the public’s priorities and the recognition that athletes deserve after significant accomplishments
The 26-year-old stressed the importance of fan recognition in lifting an athlete’s spirit. “For an athlete, fame and money are one thing, but when people watch and appreciate you, there’s no bigger satisfaction,” Hardik said, emphasizing how vital fan support is in fueling their passion and dedication.
The Indian hockey team will next be seen in action in the second half of October when the nation hosts Germany for a highly anticipated two-match bilateral series at New Delhi’s Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. The last time India faced Germany was in the semifinal of the Paris Olympics, where the European giants emerged victorious with a 3-2 win.
“This bilateral series against Germany will be a remarkable showcase of world-class hockey. Both India and Germany have a rich history in the sport, and this series will give fans an opportunity to witness an intense competition between two of the most formidable teams in the world,” Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey said in a press release.
The Indian hockey team is set to return to action in the latter half of October, as they host Germany for a much-anticipated two-match bilateral series at New Delhi’s Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. The teams last met in the semifinals of the Paris Olympics, where Germany narrowly edged out India with a 3-2 win.
Hockey fans can look forward to thrilling displays of skill and determination from both teams, as they vie for supremacy on the field. “This bilateral series will be a remarkable showcase of world-class hockey,” said Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey in a press release. “India and Germany have a rich history in the sport, and fans will witness intense competition between two of the most formidable teams in the world.”Follow us for more
