Crowds line to welcome Nikki and Salima from Tokyo Olympics
Ranchi, After finishing a historic fourth in Women’s hockey at the Tokyo Olympics, daughters of the state who were part of the team Nikki Pradhan and Salima Tete returned to Jharkhand on Wednesday afternoon.
At around 1320hrs the duo came out of the airport where they were received by Sports Minister Hafizul Hasan and family members of both the players were also present to welcome them.
It appeared that the entire city had crowded at the airport to welcome their daughters. From early morning people carrying the national flag had started lining up near the airport who were eagerly
waiting to catch the glimpse of the new youth icons.
The prominent roads of the capitals were also decked to huge size cut outs depicting the two
players and Chief Minister Hemant Soren welcoming back the daughters to their state.
The duo overwhelmed by the love showered by the people expressed their gratitude towards
the crowd and also for the state government.
They said that they regret not coming back home with a medal around their necks but assured
that they will work more hard next time to win a medal for the nation in the next Olympics.
The Birsa Munda Airport was also beautifully decked up to welcome the players who were given
a traditional welcome coupled with dance and beating of dhols and mandars. The airport and surrounding areas were decked with flowers and balloons.
From the airport in an open and decorated jeep both the players were taken to project building
where they were felicitated by Chief Minister Hemant Soren. The duo received a sum of Rs 50
lakh each, a scooty, a laptop and a smart phone apart from that they were also promised a
house on an area of 3000 square feet as per their choice.
The girls after two days will return to the national capital where they will meet Prime Minister
Narendra Modi on August 15 while they will be also attending felicitation ceremonies in
Odisha and Uttar Pradesh.
