Odisha announces ₹11 lakh for each Indian women's hockey player after Asian Games gold

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday, October 3, 2026, announced a cash reward of ₹11 lakh each for the players of the Indian women's hockey team following their Asian Games gold. The state said support staff will receive ₹5.5 lakh each.

India beat defending champions and Olympic silver-medallists China 1-0 in the Asian Games final on Friday, October 2, 2026, in Japan. The victory secured the tournament's gold medal for the Indian women's team.

CMO Odisha, in a social media post, said, "Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi has announced a cash reward of ₹11 lakh each for the players and ₹5.5 lakh each for the support staff of the Indian women's hockey team in recognition of their historic gold medal at the Asian Games 2026." The post said the Chief Minister congratulated the team for their outstanding performance, determination and commitment, which have brought immense pride to the nation, and that the Odisha government stands firmly with Indian hockey and remains committed to supporting and nurturing sporting excellence.

"The cash prize for the players announced by the chief minister is over and above the one that has been announced by Hockey India yesterday," Odisha's Sports Department Secretary Bhupendra Singh Poonia told PTI. Poonia made the remark when confirming the state-level rewards.

The Odisha government will remain the official sponsor of the Indian men's and women's hockey teams, both senior and junior, until 2036. The state became the first Indian State to sponsor national hockey teams in 2018.

The gold ended a 44-year wait for the Asian Games women's hockey title for India, the team having last won the event in 1982, and the victory also clinched qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.