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How the mainstream media reported India's historic semifinal entry in hockey

A close look at the mainstream media's reactions to the Indian women's hockey team's historic semifinal entry.

How the mainstream media reported Indias historic semifinal entry in hockey
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By

Ananth Narasimman

Updated: 2 Aug 2021 1:38 PM GMT

The Indian women's hockey team scripted history as they qualified for the semifinals. Post their group stage struggles, they had very few expectations of going into the later rounds, but they proved most of their disbelievers wrong and held off a strong Australian team to cruise into the Semis. The country erupted in celebrations, and most of us had joyful tears streaming down our faces as we saw what was said to be improbable accomplished. Savita Punia was the star of the day as she proved to be the insurmountable obstacle that the Australians could not cross, thwarting their attacks and keeping India in contention. The mainstream media went wild with their celebrations. Here are a couple of the best ones.

A family that sticks together, stays together. What a win and what a historic moment.

The better term to describe our feelings would be that we stand beside the team as this shows that we are with the team every step of the way, through the good bad and ugly. The term "behind them" seems to have a more negative connotation as we burden our athletes with unfair expectations and bail when they need us. Our Sports Minister, unfortunately, seems to be behind the team as he grapples for attention.

Like most politicians who talk about their vision and goals to appease the voter base every once in five years, there is a call by mainstream media to support the cause of sportswoman once every four years.

Celebrities and Fans? Aren't celebrities fans too?

The Bridge and Gurjit Kaur have something in common, what is that you may ask? Gurjit Kaur scored the solitary goal to lead India to burst into celebrations, and The Bridge stood in solitude as we supported the Indian Women's Hockey Team before they won and not after.

SRK's message to Sjoerd Marijne seems to be more important than Marijne's achievement itself. No offence to King Khan, we wish the spotlight remained with the team as they thoroughly earned it after all the sacrifices and countless hours of effort put in. It's about them and not about us.

Savita Punia was the immovable wall that the Australians just could not break. She is the only 'Wall' we care about right now, Sorry Rahul ;)

A performance for the ages indeed, coming from one champ to another. The Indian Football Team's captain has fought hard despite not enough support being shown just like our women's hockey team.

Our former sports minister has got it spot on, this is indeed our time now, time to celebrate our country's athletes and their astonishing achievements. They truly did give it our all.

Yet another historic feat as our Women's hockey team finally gets the media attention they deserved for ages.

Someone had to say it, thank you Anshul.

SRK must be smiling his way to the bank with the amount of Chak De mentions. We get the pride and emotions displayed in the movie, but comparing a reel character to a real one and not the other way around seems a bit far fetched don't you think?

Not the captain we want to hear from right now, queue interviews from Rani Rampal.

Absolutely speechless, yet another reason why sports stars will never get the much-needed appreciation that they are due. The media attention falls purely on celebrities and politicians when they are not the ones on the field putting in their blood, sweat and tears.


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