India hockey team players wear black arm bands

The Indian men’s hockey team’s complete annihilation of Pakistan on the field in its 7-1 victory – the biggest victory margin ever for the team against its arch-rivals – saw the Indians take to the field in the Pool B match wearing black arm bands.

Hockey India later said that the black bands were to “condole the deaths of martyrs in the recent attacks on the Indian army”.

The Indian men’s hockey team’s complete annihilation of Pakistan on the field in its 7-1 victory – the biggest victory margin ever for the team against its arch-rivals – saw the Indians take to the field in the Pool B match wearing black arm bands.

While the reason for the same was not announced before the game, Hockey India later said that the black bands were to “condole the deaths of martyrs in the recent attacks on the Indian army” in a press release.

The Indian support staff too wore the bands. “The players of Indian hockey teams have always shown tremendous belief and support for the armed forces who guard the safety of our nation. They are proud of the nation's soldiers and are inspired by their dedication and sacrifice. As sportsmen, the Indian hockey teams have always shown solidarity and compassion towards them and have often dedicated their victories to the Indian army.

“Today, the team strongly felt the need to condole the recent attacks carried out in Jammu & Kashmir where Indian soldiers lost their lives. It was unanimous decision to wear black arm bands to condole these deaths and they wish for peace in the state," Hockey India secretary general Mohd. Mushtaque Ahmed said in the release.

This was India's third consecutive win in the tournament and put the team on top of Pool B with Holland up next in the league stage.