India's para hockey chief coach Daljender Singh has credited the support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dr Mallika Nadda, and Special Olympics Bharat (SOB) for enabling the national team to compete at the FIH Para Hockey World Cup for the first time and secure a 11th-place finish in the world rankings. The milestone marks a significant step forward for para hockey in India.

Role of Special Olympics Bharat

Special Olympics Bharat played a central role in preparing the squad for international competition, organising training camps and managing logistical arrangements for the players' participation in the tournament. Coach Daljender described the organisation's contribution as indispensable to the team's readiness.

'First of all, I would like to thank the Honourable Prime Minister Modi ji and Dr Mallika Nadda, who fully support us, and the entire SOB organisation, which made excellent arrangements for these children and set up camps, enabling us to play in the FIH World Cup,' Daljender said.

How India Performed at the FIH World Cup

The Indian team entered a 16-team field, divided equally into Pool A and Pool B with eight sides each. For every player in the squad, the tournament represented their debut on a global stage. Daljender expressed satisfaction with how the team rose to the occasion.

'The children gave a very good performance, as it was their first experience, and they did well there. We are ranked 11th in the world rankings. I am very happy that the children enjoyed themselves there,' he said.

PM Modi's Encouragement: A Morale Booster

Beyond tactical preparation, Daljender highlighted the motivational impact of direct engagement with Prime Minister Modi. He said interactions with the Prime Minister instilled a sense of purpose and enthusiasm in both the coaching staff and the players.

'I get a lot of encouragement from him. Talking to the Prime Minister gives me a lot of encouragement, and I feel like playing with more enthusiasm. The children also try a lot to get a chance to talk to the Prime Minister, and he is very helpful,' Daljender stated.

What This Debut Means for Para Hockey in India

India's appearance at the FIH Para Hockey World Cup signals a growing institutional commitment to adaptive sports in the country. The combination of government backing, structured camp programmes, and international exposure has given the team a competitive baseline to build on. With an 11th-place world ranking now established, the focus will likely shift to improving that standing in future editions of the tournament.