India’s women’s hockey team has returned from the Asian Games with gold, and Odisha has now announced its own reward for the players and support staff.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced ₹11 lakh each for the players of the Indian women’s hockey team and ₹5.5 lakh each for the support staff in recognition of their gold-medal victory at the 2026 Asian Games. The announcement was made on Saturday, a day after India defeated China 1–0 in the final at Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium in Japan.
The victory ended India’s 44-year wait for the Asian Games women’s hockey gold. India had last won the title in 1982.
The Chief Minister congratulated the team for its performance, determination and commitment. In a post shared by the Chief Minister’s Office, the Odisha government said the achievement had brought immense pride to the nation and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting and nurturing sporting excellence.
The Odisha reward is also separate from the prize announced by Hockey India. Hockey India had announced ₹11 lakh for each player and ₹5.5 lakh for each support staff member after the final. Odisha Sports Department Secretary Bhupendra Singh Poonia told PTI that the cash prize announced by the state government is “over and above” the reward announced by Hockey India.
The announcement comes after a final in which India had to protect a one-goal lead for most of the match.
China started strongly, but India stayed organised in defence. In the 10th minute, Lalremsiami found the breakthrough after a move involving captain Salima Tete and Sakshi Rana. She produced a powerful reverse-stick strike from inside the circle to put India ahead.
It was a special moment for Lalremsiami as well. The goal came in her 200th international appearance.
China then increased the pressure and looked for an equaliser. India had to defend for long periods, with the Chinese team creating several chances around the Indian circle.
One of the biggest moments came when China won a penalty stroke. Goalkeeper Savita Punia stood firm and saved the attempt by Zhang Ying, keeping India’s lead intact.
The Indian defence continued to deal with the pressure as the match moved into the second half. China kept looking for an opening, while India tried to use every opportunity to move the ball away from danger and create counter-attacks.
The final stages became particularly tense as China pushed more players forward. India, however, managed to protect its narrow advantage until the final whistle.
India won 1–0.
For the team, the result ended one of the longest waits in Indian women’s hockey.
After winning gold on home soil in 1982, India had reached the podium several times but could not reclaim the Asian Games title. The team won silver in 1998 and again in 2018, while it took bronze at the 1986, 2006, 2014 and 2022 Asian Games. Hockey India’s records list the 1998 and 2018 campaigns as silver-medal finishes.
The 2026 final finally brought another gold.
The victory also secured India direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. After missing the Paris 2024 Games, the qualification gives the team another major opportunity on the Olympic stage.
The latest reward from Odisha also carries significance because of the state’s long association with Indian hockey. Odisha became the first Indian state to sponsor the national hockey teams in 2018 and has continued its partnership with Hockey India. The state government is set to remain the official sponsor of the Indian senior and junior men’s and women’s teams until 2036.
For the players who spent the final defending a 1–0 lead, the reward comes after a night that already secured a place in Indian hockey history.
Asian Games gold is back after 44 years, and Odisha has now added its own recognition for the players and the support staff who helped make it happen.
