BJP President Amit Shah wishes luck to Rio-bound Indian hockey teams

NEW DELHI: BJP President Amit Shah today congratulated Olympic-bound Indian hockey contingent on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and hoped both the men's amd women's squads will bring smiles on the faces of countrymen with their performances in Rio de Janeiro.

"I congratulate and wish you (both teams) luck on behalf of the entire country and Prime Minister Narendra Modi," said Shah, who was the chief guest of the gala function organised by Hockey India to announce the men's and women's teams for the Rio Olympics.

"The country has great hopes from you. Indian hockey has a rich history. Since hockey introduction in the Olympics in 1928, India (men's team) won seven gold medals in the first eight years.

"The entire country is expecting medals from both the teams. Especially we are expecting a gold from the men's team," he said.

Hockey India (HI) today announced 16-member squads for both the men's and women's teams that will represent the country in the Olympics.

Besides announcing the men and women's squads, HI also gave a warm send-off to the teams during today's gala function.

Also present at the function were Sports Minister Vijay Goel, BJP MP and BCCI President Anurag Thakur, International Hockey Federation (FIH) President Leandro Negre, Sports Authority of India Director General Injeti Srinivas, Indian Olympic Association Secretary General Rajeev Mehta and former hockey Olympians among others.

While the men's team has rich history at the Olympic Games, this will be the first time in 36 years that the women's team will be participating at the Olympics.

Indian eves' only appearance in the Olympics till now was in the 1980 Moscow edition, but there was no qualification process back then.