23 June,2019 08:29 PM IST | | mid-day online desk
An avid sports watcher Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Indian women's hockey team on their victory against Japan in the FIH series finals and said that the victory will not only inspire young girls to take up and excel the sport but will also popularise the game all over the country even more.
In a Tweet, PM Modi said, "Exceptional game, an excellent outcome! Congratulations to our team for winning the Women's FIH Series Finals hockey tournament. This stupendous victory will further popularise hockey and also inspire many young girls to excel in the sport."
Hockey India thanked the PM for his motivating words and said the win will drive more young women to choose sport as a career.
"Thank you, Shri. Narendra Modi for the support and the motivating words. The win will only drive more young women to choose sport as a career," Hockey India tweeted.
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Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju took to Twitter and called the victory great news.
"Here comes the great news! India clinched the Women's FIH Series Finals hockey tournament by beating Japan 3-1 in the finals at Hiroshima What an amazing game displayed by the Indian Women team. CONGRATULATIONS GIRLS!" Rijiju said.
Sports Authority of India (SAI) also congratulated women's hockey team following their win over Japan.
"Many congratulations to the @TheHockeyIndia women's team for winning the #FIHSeriesFinals in Hiroshima following a 3-1 win over hosts Japan in the final. The Indian women had already secured a berth in the #OlympicQualifiers after reaching the final," SAI said.
International Hockey Federation wrote, "India win the FIH Series Finals Hiroshima after an all-Asia clash with Japan #RoadToTokyo."
A day after qualifying for the FIH Olympic Qualifiers, Indian women's hockey team on Sunday won the FIH Series Finals after defeating the tournament hosts Japan 3-1 at the Hiroshima Hockey Stadium.
Skipper Rani Rampal, the best player of the tournament, netted a goal in the third minute but India conceded an equalizer in the 11th minute as Japan's Kanon Mori scored.
However, a brace from Gurjit Kaur, the top scorer of the tournament, scored in the 45th and 60th minutes took India to an emphatic victory.
With inputs from ANI
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