The Prime Ministers’s order comes after Indian coach Joaquim Carvalho pointed out the lack of floodlights at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre near Bangalore, where the team starts a month-long preparatory camp on Monday.

"When he asked us about the team's training for the Olympics, I pointed out to him that floodlights were lacking at the ground where the team will train," Carvalho said after the Asia Cup-wining team's reception by the Prime Minister.

"He asked the SAI director-general (RP Watal) and secretary, sports (SK Arora) to have the floodlights installed immediately," said Carvalho.

India will play a six-nation qualifying tournament at Santiago in Chile from March 1-9 in what will be their last chance to make it to the Beijing Olympics Games next August. They will have to win the title to qualify.

Carvalho said the Prime Minister had assured the players that they would definitely have the floodlight facility for training.

However, it is highly unlikely that floodlights will be installed before or during the camp as there has been no written proposal, according to Shyam Sundar, SAI official in charge of the centre.

Carvalho said the Prime Minister had expressed his full support to the hockey team.

“He assured us that his government would ensure that all facilities are provided to the team for the Olympic preparations. He also wished the team luck for the qualifying tournament."

The Prime Minister was presented with a composite hockey stick with signatures of the entire team.