Kaun Banega Lakhpati — Rs 50 lakh bait for Indian hockey team

NEW DELHI, AUGUST 16: With all the hopes pinned on the hockey team to win a medal in the next month's Olympic Games, the official sponsors...

NEW DELHI, AUGUST 16: With all the hopes pinned on the hockey team to win a medal in the next month’s Olympic Games, the official sponsors of Indian contingent to Sydney on Wednesday announced a bonaza of Rs 50 lakh for the players if they win gold for the country.

Samsung, which has already given Rs 15 lakh to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to support the Olympic preparations, will reward the team with Rs 50 lakh and additionally Rs 25 lakh to the set of coaches if they return with a gold medal, company vice-president (Marketing) JH Park announced here.

“We feel this reward should provide encouragement and motivation for them to excel in their performance,” Park said.

Story continues below this ad

Samsung will also announce incentive programme for the rest of the Olympic team prior to their departure, Park said.

The Indian team exhuded confidence with captain-designate Ramandeep Singh saying all the players were eager for the Games to show their mettle.

“We are ready for the Games,” he declared.

The Asian Games gold medallists are set to leave for Down Under early morning for their 20-day training-cum-practice tour of Western Australian suburb Murwillinbah.

India will play a friendly match with World and Olympic champion Holland and a series of exhibition ties with local teams before getting into the Olympic village on September 8. India are also scheduled to play matches against England and Canada.

Story continues below this ad

Indian Hockey Federation president KPS Gill, IOA Secretary-General Randhir Singh, ace cricketer Bishen Singh Bedi were among those wishing the team good luck.