Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Indian team for winning the Junior Hockey World Cup, saying it augurs well for the future of Indian hockey.
"Extremely proud of our youngsters! Congratulations to our junior hockey team for winning the #JuniorHockeyWorldCup," he tweeted.
He added that the "win augurs well for the future of Indian hockey & will make the sport even more popular among youngsters."
India had defeated Belgium 2-1 to clinch the Junior World Cup held in Lucknow on Sunday.
India, who won the tournament in Hobart in 2001, became the first team to win the competition on home soil.
Having dominated the proceedings for major part of the match, the hosts scored two beautifully crafted field goals in the first half through Gurjant Singh (8th minute) and Simranjeet Singh (22nd).
Belgium scored a late consolation goal through Fabrice van Bockrijck's penalty corner conversion in the 70th minute.
Image: India's players celebrate after winning the Junior Hockey World Cup in Lucknow, on Sunday.
Photograph: Hockey India
