Bhubaneswar, October 3: Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey congratulated the Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams for their historic double-gold performance at the 2026 Asian Games and announced a cash prize of Rs 11 lakh for the men’s team following their title triumph.
The Indian men’s hockey team defeated Malaysia 5-1 in the final on Saturday to retain the Asian Games gold medal, securing back-to-back titles after their triumph in 2022. The victory also secured India’s direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Tirkey described the men’s team’s achievement as a historic milestone, noting that India had successfully defended its Asian Games hockey title for the first time.
“Team India has won back-to-back Asian Games gold medals. In the last Asian Games, we defeated Japan 5-1, and today, we beat Malaysia 5-1 in the final. Team India’s performance was excellent. Winning the gold medal again is a fantastic achievement,” Tirkey told ANI.
The victory marked India’s fifth men’s hockey gold medal at the Asian Games, following earlier triumphs in 1966, 1998, 2014 and 2022.
The achievement became even more significant as India’s women’s team also clinched gold at the same edition of the Asian Games. It was the first time that both Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams won gold medals at the same Asian Games.
Tirkey praised the players, captains, coaches and support staff of both teams for their contribution to the historic campaign.
“History has also been made here because, for the first time in Indian hockey history at the Asian Games, both the women’s and men’s teams have won gold medals in a single edition,” he said.
Reflecting on the women’s team’s final against China, Tirkey said the side produced an impressive performance and played “perfect hockey”.
“The most important thing is that we will qualify for the Olympics 2028 directly. The Asian Games were our direct target. Everyone played their role really well across both teams. The women’s team played much better. They played perfect hockey in the final,” he said.
Tirkey also announced financial rewards for the men’s team and the support staff.
“Hockey India will give Rs 11 lakh as a cash prize for the men’s team. The support staff will be given Rs 5.5 lakh,” he added.
India’s 2026 Asian Games hockey double gold also contributed to the country’s overall medal tally at the continental event.
Tirkey thanked the Odisha government for its continued support to Indian hockey and acknowledged the contribution of the central government towards the development of the sport.
“The aim has always been to develop the sport and the players, and they have helped in that. I thank the Odisha government for standing with Indian hockey. The central government is also supporting us well. I would like to thank everyone,” he said.
