It was like the famous Air India 'Maharajah' welcoming its esteemed guests. Clad in spanking yellow off-field tees, the smiles on their faces ran from ear to ear. De-boarding the team bus, all eyes around The Lalit Hotel turned towards these 18 girls - unlike previously, when recognising them was hard and a passing look was all that they got. This was the beaming World Cup bronze medallist junior Indian women's team arriving for its felicitation ceremony.
"That is Rani Rampal," said one. "She, I think, is Sushila Chanu," said another voice in the hotel lobby, as the team made its way to the ball room. The media had done its job. Those who were 'people' until yesterday, had become 'fans' today - putting names to faces on their own, something never seen before in women's hockey in India.
Pictures, pictures and pictures - followed by interviews, interviews and more interviews. The girls were clearly enjoying the attention. "You can have tea, girls," said a member of the hotel staff, as the media was still pouring in. But the cups had hardly touched the lips that another message arrived. "Batra Sir is calling you all for a team photo." The cups were placed back on the table, but without a wrinkle on the face. Tea can wait. This was their time under the sun.
Back inside the ballroom, Hockey India secretary general Narinder Batra was busy in meticulously arranging the sitting and standing order for the team photo. The boss was in total command and everyone followed instructions with precise accuracy. "I need these photos," Mr. Batra put the Hockey India media manager on notice.
The girls were now back to their cups of tea in waiting. But they had not more than a couple of sips when another welcome interruption turned their attention away from the hot cups. The boys were in the house. Sardar, Raghunath, Rupinderpal, Sreejesh started appearing from the lobby one by one. The entire Indian men's team had arrived to wish the girls.
It was like a 'Smileathon' at The Lalit. The felicitation ceremony should have started 45 minutes back, but that wasn't on anyone's mind. Players were enjoying and the media was enjoying its work with the players in chirpy mood - readily answering questions and posing for the cameras.
That done, everyone moved in to take their seats. Women's team on the right, men's team on the left and the media in the middle. Mr. Batra's meticulous arrangement missed that oddity, but the mediapersons didn't mind the advantageous position.
The clock struck one. Mr. Batra asked for the mic. "There will be a further delay of 10 minutes as some of the mediapersons were on their way to the hotel." Clearly, Hockey India didn't want to lose any opportunity to let the girls get all the credit and attention they deserve. And nothing wrong in that. After all, it's just the third World Cup medal in India's hockey history.
But what's important now is the results that follow. Hope the smiles continue.
Note: Hockey India awarded a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh to each member of the team as well as coach Neil Hawgood. Rani Rampal got an addition one lakh rupees for winning the 'Player of the Tournament' award. The rest of the coaching staff got Rs. 50,000 each.
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