Post Champions Trophy silver, hockey team focus on Rio

Sreejesh, who captained the side in the Champions Trophy said he is proud of the achievement and is now fully focussed on the Olympics, starting from August 5.

“We are proud of our achievement. We are also grateful and overwhelmed by the support we have received from home. After a long tour, now we are focussed on the Rio Games. We want to ensure a strong showing in Rio so that we can make our supporters proud,” Sreejesh said after the team’s arrival here.

“We will have a few days break to rejuvenate ourselves before we resume the camp at SAI Bengaluru and get ready for Rio.”

The silver medal winning feat last month in London was India’s best ever performance in the Champions Trophy, surpassing the bronze medal finish in the 1982 edition of the tournament but head coach Roelant Oltmans feels its on the backburner and the target is Rio.

“Our aim was always to win a medal at the Champions Trophy. We have achieved that. It is on the backburner now. We have to look ahead and focus on the Olympics,” Oltmans said.

India finished fifth in the six-nations Invitational Tournament in Valencia after drawing 1-1 against hosts Spain in their final match.