Indian Olympic Association lauded the performance of the national hockey team, which won the silver medal at the Sultan Azlan Shah tournament, saying the performance would be the benchmark for building a future side.
India, who had recorded four consecutive wins after two defeats to reach the final of the prestigious tournament, lost 1-2 to Argentina in the final via a golden goal.
"This is the benchmark from where we are going to build up our future team. The boys have shown what motivation can do to them, they have shown how it is when sportspersons come together," IOA General Secretary Randhir Singh said in his congratulatory message for the side.
"It is no mean feat to match up to a team like Argentina and defeat three other Olympic qualifying sides, especially after having failed to qualify for the Olympics," he said.
Attention of the sportslovers was on the national team's performance in Malaysia as Indian hockey was going through a tumultuous phase after the side failed to qualify for the Olympics and the Indian Hockey Federation was dissolved after its Secretary K Jothikumaran was caught taking bribe in a sting operation by a TV channel.
The team, packed with several youngsters and in charge of junior coach A K Bansal, exhibited tremendous fighting abilities to come out second best in the Azlan Shah meet.
The IOA General Secretary also showered praise on comeback man Sandeep Singh, who emerged as the highest scorer of the tournament.