‘We failed to win medal but won hearts’, says hockey player Vandana

HARIDWAR: Indian hockey star and hat-trick scorer in Tokyo Olympics, Vandana Katariya, was accorded a grand welcome upon her return to her native village Aurangabad here.

“It’s a unique feeling seeing so much adulation and wishes pour in. Olympics was a litmus test for the years of hard work and intense training we have been putting in as a team. We couldn’t clinch bronze medal but surely won hearts,” said an elated Vandana on her arrival here.

“After Tokyo Olympics, as a team we have now set eyes on Commonwealth and Asian Games,” said Vandana.

Police escorted car accompanied her entourage with fans and well- wishers lined up on both sides of the road to catch a glimpse of the star forward player who has played more than 200 international matches.

District magistrate Haridwar, Vinay Shankar Pandey, senior superintendent of district police D Senthil Aboodai Krishan, BJP Uttarakhand president Madan Kaushik, Jwalapur legislator

Suresh Rathore, Ranipur-BHEL legislator Adesh Chauhan, Jhabreda legislator Desh Raj Karnwal, sports officials, players and hockey experts wished Vandana on her arrival.

District sports officer Sunil Dobhal, district Hockey Association president AA Khan, district Olympic Association president Mahesh Joshi and Football Association president DK Gosh, hockey coach Shikha Bisht, Cricket Association of Haridwar secretary Inder Mohan Barthwal, Master Satyapal among other sports officials and coaches wished Vandana on her and and Team India’s spirited performance in Olympics.

Vandana will be leaving for New Delhi on Friday to attend national level felicitations.

Meanwhile, those who share their first names with Olympians - javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, who clinched gold medal and Vandana Kataria can now avail free ride to the revered shrine of Mata Chandi Devi in Haridwar.

Operating Ropeway company Usha Breco Limited on Tuesday announced free ropeway ride to those people whose first names are “Neeraj” or “Vandana”.