New Delhi: Indian women hockey team today booked their tickets to the 2016 Rio Games, first time since 1980 Olympics.
In 1980 games, India had finished a commendable fourth.
India joined the nine teams already qualified for 2016 Rio Games - Korea as Asian Games champions, Argentina as Pan Am Games champions and Great Britain, China, Germany, Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand and the USA through the Hockey World League Semi-Finals.
The Indian women's team was waiting for the confirmation since July as they needed two of the already-qualified teams to reach the final of the European Championships for their qualification.
"India qualified after England defeated Spain in the semi-finals of the Unibet EuroHockey Championships in London, which ensured that the only teams who can now win the event have already qualified for Rio through the Hockey World League Semi-Finals - Netherlands and England (as Great Britain)," an International Hockey Federation release said.
The Indian men's team was the first to clinch their berth to Rio after winning the Asian Games gold medal last year.
