Floris Jan Bovelander (left) in conversation with former India captain Pargat Singh on the sidelines of the Asian Champions Trophy 2026 in Jalandhar, Punjab. Photo: Pargat Singh/X
\n\nDutch hockey legend Floris Jan Bovelander heaped praise on Indian hockey. Bovelander visited the Asian Champions Trophy 2026 in Jalandhar, Punjab, on being invited by the state's Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
\n\nBovelander, 1996 Atlanta Olympics and 1990 World Cup gold medallist, also recalled Maan's visit to the Netherlands in April and his passion for hockey.
\n\n“I was both astonished and honoured that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann remembered me and personally invited me to be part of the prestigious tournament. The invitation reflected the Chief Minister’s immense love for hockey and that I made it a point to travel to Jalandhar,” Bovelander said while speaking on the sidelines of the tournament at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium on Monday.
\n\nThe former Netherlands drag-flicker, who represented his country in 241 international matches and scored 215 goals between October 1985 and August 1996, described India as a powerhouse of world hockey.
\n\nReflecting on the contributions of Asian nations, particularly India and Pakistan, to the Olympic movement, Bovelander highlighted their role in popularising it across the…
Original source: https://www.timesnownews.com/sports
