‘Wanted to come to Paris but Centre didn’t allow us’: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann to hockey team captain | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday spoke to hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh by phone and explained that he had hoped to attend the hockey quarterfinals at the Paris Olympics to boost the players’ morale, but was denied permission by the central government. The Punjab CM also congratulated the Hockey captain for their performance at the team’s performance at the Paris Olympics.
“We wanted to come to Paris to watch the next competition and boost the morale of the players but the central government did not allow us…We are with you whole heartedly,” Mann said in a post on X.

Despite the setback, Mann reassured Singh of his unwavering support: “Although I won’t be able to be there in person, please know that we are with you wholeheartedly. All the best for the next next competition.”
Mann who possesses a diplomatic passport, had plans to travel to Paris from August 3 to 9.
However, the Central government denied Mann the necessary permission. According to a state government source quoted by news agency PTI, the reason given was that Mann is a Z-Plus security protectee, and arranging his level of security at such short notice was not feasible.
Mann had extended his congratulations to the Indian hockey team for their historic victory over Australia in the ongoing Paris Olympic Games. India achieved a remarkable feat by defeating the formidable team for the first time since 1972, with a score of 3-2.
The Indian team’s success was led by skipper Harmanpreet Singh, who scored two crucial goals in the match against Australia, the silver medallist from the Tokyo Games and a long-standing nemesis. In his congratulatory message to the team, Mann expressed, “It is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that India defeated Australia by 3-2. Harmanpreet Singh led the team to victory by scoring two goals in this important match.”