By IANS,
New Delhi: Sports Minister M.S Gill met the Indian hockey team at the Games Village Wednesday and asked them to give their best shot in the Oct 3-14 Games.
“I spoke to (them). They are united, focussed and enthusiastic. I told them that 70,000 fans will be cheering for you at the (Major Dhayn Chand) National Stadium. You have to come up with your best performance,” Gill told reporters outside the Games Village.
India have been drawn in the tough Pool A alongside World Champions and holders Australia, Pakistan, Malaysia and Scotland. England, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa and Trinidad and Tobago make up Pool B.
Past giants India do not boast of a medal in the Commonwealth Games and will be looking to break the jinx.
India’s best showing was their fourth place finish in Kuala Lumpur where they lost to England on penalties in the bronze medal play-off after going down to eventual silver medallist Malaysia in a close encounter.
Hockey made its Commonwealth Games debut in 1998 in Kuala Lumpur.