Hockey India announces Rs 11 lakh reward for each player after winning gold
Hockey India on Friday announced a cash reward of Rs 11 lakh for each player of the Indian women’s hockey team after their historic Asian Games gold medal triumph in Japan.
The support staff members will receive Rs 5.5 lakh each for their contribution to the team’s successful campaign.
India defeated defending champions and Olympic silver medallists China 1-0 in the final to win the women’s hockey gold medal at the Asian Games for only the second time. Their previous title came in 1982, meaning the team had to wait 44 years to return to the top.
Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh confirmed the rewards and praised the team for their performance in the final.
“It was a stupendous performance from the Indian women's team,” Singh told PTI.
He said the players showed “guts and resilience” to protect their one-goal lead against China, who are ranked fourth in the world and had won the Olympic silver medal.
The victory was also significant because it secured India a direct qualification spot for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
India had previously finished runners-up at the Asian Games in 1998 and 2018, but were unable to reclaim the title after their 1982 triumph. The victory in Japan finally ended that long wait.LALREMSIAMI SCORES WINNER
Lalremsiami scored the only goal of the final in the 10th minute to give India the lead.
The forward produced a reverse-stick strike that found the back of the net and put India in control early in the contest.
China then pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but India’s defence remained organised and disciplined. The Indian players managed to absorb the pressure and protect their advantage until the final whistle.
The defensive effort was particularly important as China created opportunities during the match, but India refused to allow the Olympic silver medallists to find a way back into the contest.
The gold medal marked a memorable achievement for the players and support staff, with Hockey India recognising their efforts through the cash rewards.
For the Indian women’s team, the triumph brought an end to a 44-year wait for Asian Games gold and provided an Olympic qualification boost ahead of Los Angeles 2028.- Ends
