12 June,2025 09:57 PM IST | Amstelveen (The Netherlands) | mid-day online correspondent
Indian, Argentine players sharing a moment of silence ahead of their FIH Pro League match on Thursday (Pic: @FIH_Hockey/X)
The Indian men's hockey team and their Argentine counterparts observed a solemn moment of silence to honour the victims of the devastating Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad ahead of their FIH Hockey Pro League match on Thursday.
The tragedy occurred shortly after takeoff when a London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft crashed into the UG hostel of BJ Medical College in the Meghaninagar area of the city. The aircraft, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, met with disaster within minutes of departure, plunging into a densely populated residential zone. Civil hospital officials have confirmed that over 200 lives are feared lost in one of the worst aviation tragedies in recent memory.
According to Air India's statement, the passengers included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian. In a glimmer of hope amid the destruction, one lone survivor has been rescued, while others injured in the crash have been rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention.
As news of the catastrophe cast a shadow over global headlines, the Indian and Argentine teams, who were scheduled to face off in Amsterdam, paused before the start of the match to pay their respects. The players stood in silence, reflecting the collective grief and solidarity with the victims and their families.
However, on the field, the Indian team's woes continued. Despite the emotional backdrop and hopes of a tribute through performance, the Men in Blue went down 1-2 to a resolute Argentine side. The loss extended India's winless run in the European leg of the tournament and marked another missed opportunity for captain Harmanpreet Singh and his team.
India's performance in the FIH Hockey Pro League has been underwhelming in recent weeks. With Thursday's defeat, the team has now managed to accumulate only 15 points from 12 matches, placing them fifth in the current standings, a far cry from the expectations placed upon the world-ranked side.
The team will need to regroup and reassess their strategies quickly if they are to bounce back in the remaining fixtures and end their European tour on a positive note.
