Hockey India rewards Women's Team with bumper Rs 50 lakh prize money after World Cup heroics

To honor their landmark campaign at the FIH Hockey World Cup, Hockey India declared a ₹50 lakh cash prize for the national women's team on Friday. Led by captain Salima Tete, the squad capped off their campaign with a decisive 3-1 victory over World No. 5 Germany in the 5th/6th place classification playoff at Amstelveen. The result secures India's highest tournament ranking in 52 years, echoing their historic fourth-place performance at the inaugural 1974 event.

Hockey India declares ₹50 Lakh Reward for Women’s team

Under the guidance of Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne, India showcased remarkable resilience throughout the competition, suffering only a single defeat. Along the way, they earned hard-fought draws against higher-ranked opponents—including China, England, and Australia—and delivered a dominant 6-1 win over South Africa before shutting out Germany in their final fixture.

Each squad member will receive a cash incentive of ₹2 lakh, while every member of the support staff will be awarded ₹1 lakh for their contributions.

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Lauding the squad's landmark campaign, Hockey India president Dr. Dilip Tirkey hailed the achievement as a monumental moment for the country's women’s game. He emphasized that securing a top-five World Cup finish after a 52-year wait highlights the incredible grit, discipline, and determination demonstrated by the players. On behalf of the governing body, Tirkey confirmed the ₹50 lakh reward as an expression of gratitude, adding that he hopes the prize drives the team to hit even higher benchmarks going forward.

Echoing Tirkey's pride, Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh commended captain Salima Tete and her side for delivering a stellar showing against top-tier global opposition. He noted that the financial incentive is a well-deserved acknowledgement of the squad's effort and dedication, expressing confidence that the gesture will offer extra momentum as they transition toward their Asian Games preparations.

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India women's brigade shifts focus to Asian Games 2026

With their historic World Cup campaign wrapped up, the Indian women’s hockey squad shifts its focus to the upcoming Asian Games, determined to upgrade their previous bronze medal performance into a top-podium finish.

The task ahead begins in the group stage, where India has been drawn into Pool B. To secure a spot in the knockout rounds, they will square off against Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, and Uzbekistan.