An open-top bus procession followed by supporters with flags and residents enjoying the show en route was the city's befitting welcome for its champions.
Patna Pirates, the winner of the third season of Pro Kabaddi League, returned home to a rousing welcome on Wednesday.
Out of the city airport after a flight from Delhi, the team hopped onto a Bihar Tourism bus that took them to Gandhi Maidan via a short round of the city. The trip was 7km long, and for the entire stretch, supporters and bystanders watched the team pass by, exultant with the trophy in hand.
YoungsterMohit Raj, who was one of the fans following the winners led by captain Manpreet Singh and star players Rohit Kumar and Sandeep Narwal, said: "It is a proud moment for us that Patna Pirates won the finals of the Pro Kabaddi League this season. It is a great moment not only for the team but for entire Bihar."
In the final match on March 5 in New Delhi's Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, the Pirates defeated 2015 champions U Mumba. The scoreboard read 31-28. The maiden triumph came on the heels of a great season. After the victory procession from Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport to Gandhi Maidan, the team thanked the people for their support and cooperation.
Captain Manpreet said: "The fans and supporters in a stadium are an important factor in a win. We got so much support from the crowd, even in the final match at the Indira Gandhi stadium in New Delhi. Of course, the support and cooperation we get at the home stadium (Patliputra Sports Complex) remain unmatchable."
The winning team has received Rs 1 crore.
Manpreet said: "The team from the start of the season focused on the fitness of players. We asked the players to play their natural game and avoid injuries."
Sandeep, the team's all-rounder, said: "Apart from giving special focus to fitness, the team's strength lay in a combination of strong raiders and defenders."
The Pirates' Rohit Kumar was awarded the Best Raiderhonour for the tournament.
With early preparations and changes in the squad, the Pirates did not leave anything to chance. The only player from Bihar in the squad, Bhabesh Kumar, did not get a chance to play any of the matches. Chief executive officer Pawan Rana said: "There were many players who didn't get a chance to play the game, as we wanted to have a strong team."
