Hockey India awards Rs 11 lakh to each player after Asian Games gold in Japan

Hockey India on Friday, October 2, 2026, announced a cash reward of Rs 11 lakh for each player of the Indian women’s hockey team and Rs 5.5 lakh for each support staff member following the team's Asian Games gold-medal triumph in Japan.

India defeated defending champions and Olympic silver medallists China 1-0 in the final, with Lalremsiami scoring the only goal in the 10th minute via a reverse-stick strike that put India in control early in the match. The single-goal margin held until the final whistle to secure the title.

India’s defence remained organised and disciplined as China created opportunities, and the Indian players absorbed sustained pressure to protect their lead. The team maintained its advantage through the closing stages despite China’s efforts to find an equaliser. The victory concluded the match without the need for additional goals.

Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh confirmed the cash rewards and commended the side’s display. “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.

India's previous women's hockey Asian Games title came in 1982, and the team had finished runners-up in 1998 and 2018 without reclaiming the gold. The triumph in Japan ended a 44-year wait for a second Asian Games women's hockey gold for India.

The gold medal also secured India a direct qualification spot for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The win provided an Olympic qualification boost ahead of Los Angeles 2028.