The Indian women's hockey team secured a historic gold medal at the Asian Games, defeating China 1-0, and simultaneously qualified for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. This remarkable turnaround is largely attributed to head coach Sjored Marijne, who transformed a divided and underperforming squad into a united, fearless, and successful team within nine months.
Indian men's hockey team chief coach Craig Fulton is focused on ending the 51-year World Cup medal drought, aiming for consistency and a strong performance at the upcoming tournament in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met India's Asian Games medal-winners, including the gold-winning cricket teams, on Thursday. He praised their achievements, highlighting India's growing strength in sports and its ambition to become a credible host for major international events, including a bid for the 2036 Olympics. Modi also emphasised the government's support for athletes and urged medallists to mentor the next generation.
India has opened its Asian Games medal tally with two silvers in shooting, driven by Elavenil Valarivan's performance, and secured an unexpected podium finish in Mixed Martial Arts. The women's cricket team also advanced to the finals, aiming for a second consecutive gold.
India's men's Under-18 hockey team defeated hosts Japan 4-1 in the final to win the Asia Cup title, with Ashish Purti scoring a hat-trick. Captain Ketan Kushwaha also scored, while Hockey India announced cash awards for the gold-winning men's team and the bronze-winning women's U-18 team.
The Indian junior women's hockey team secured a spot in the Asia Cup quarterfinals after a dominant 7-0 victory over Japan. This win marks their third consecutive triumph in the Elite Pool, placing them at the top with nine points. They will now face China to determine the top position in the pool.
India achieved its most successful day at the Asian Games, securing 10 gold medals, 21 silver, and 29 bronze, bringing the total to 60 and improving its ranking to seventh. Compound archers swept all team golds, including an Olympic quota, while trap shooters Neeru Dhanda and Kynan Chenai also won mixed gold. Boxing and wrestling added bronze medals, and the women's hockey team reached the final, assuring at least a silver.
Indian women's hockey coach Sjoerd Marijne expressed satisfaction with the team's fifth-place finish at the World Cup, their best in 52 years, after defeating Germany 3-1. He highlighted the achievement as a significant confidence boost for the upcoming Asian Games, emphasising the young team's potential and the need for continued focus on their own game and consistency.
The Indian sub-junior boys' hockey team secured impressive victories against Pakistan and Oman in the FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship. The girls' team also performed strongly, drawing with China and achieving a dominant win over Uzbekistan, showcasing India's emerging talent in the sport.
The Indian men's hockey team lost 1-3 to Olympic champions the Netherlands in a critical second-round match of the FIH World Cup in Amstelveen. The Netherlands scored three field goals in the second half, while India's sole goal came from a Harmanpreet Singh penalty corner.
India achieved a remarkable six-gold haul on the penultimate day of the Asian Games, surging to fifth place with 76 medals. Key victories included the women's hockey team securing gold and Olympic qualification, historic boxing golds from Lovlina Borgohain, Parveen Hooda, and Ankush Panghal, a wrestling gold by Sujeet Kalkal, and maiden recurve archery gold. This strong finish significantly bolstered India's overall campaign.
Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra congratulated Indian athletes and support teams for their Asian Games campaign, emphasizing the hard work involved. He praised breakthrough achievements while calling for honest analysis of setbacks and stronger long-term high-performance systems, urging urgent preparation for the Los Angeles Olympics.
Defending champions India, currently unbeaten in the men's hockey Pool A at the Asian Games, are set to face hosts Japan in a crucial match. Both teams have won all their games, but India holds a superior goal difference. The winner of this match will secure the top spot in the pool and a direct semifinal berth, with India's forwards showing exceptional form.
The Indian women's hockey squad for the upcoming World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands has been announced, featuring the same 20 players selected for the Asian Games. Led by Salima Tete and coached by Sjoerd Marijne, the team is described as well-balanced, combining experienced players with promising young talent, fresh off an unbeaten victory at the FIH Nations Cup.
Indian hockey fans, including a significant diaspora presence and supporters from abroad, created a vibrant, festive atmosphere in Amstelveen for the World Cup opener against Wales on Independence Day, driven by increased expectations following recent Olympic successes.
A 24-member Indian Junior women's hockey team has travelled to the United Kingdom for an exposure tour, playing matches against junior teams from England, Scotland, the United States, and Belgium, as well as the Scotland senior women's team, to prepare for upcoming international tournaments like the Junior Asia Cup.
This article provides a comprehensive schedule for Indian athletes competing at the Asian Games on September 26, 2023. It details events across various sports including athletics, badminton, kabaddi, boxing, hockey, and more, with specific timings in IST.
P R Sreejesh's tenure as India's junior men's hockey coach ended after 17 months, sparking controversy over the reasons for his departure and the appointment of a foreign coach.
Karnataka's Mohith HS, an accidental goalkeeper, is set to represent India at the FIH Hockey World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium. The 24-year-old, who impressed in the FIH Pro League, will join Suraj Karkera as one of the team's custodians. Mohith's journey began by chance in school, evolving into a promising career that saw him play in the Junior World Cup and now the senior national team, driven by a dream to win for India.
Both the Indian U-18 men's and women's hockey teams are set to compete in the semifinals of the Asia Cup. The men's team will face arch-rivals Pakistan, focusing on improving penalty corner execution, while the dominant women's team will take on China, aiming to continue their unbeaten run.
Indian hockey drag-flicker Deepika has made headlines at the Asian Games with a record-breaking 20 goals across three matches, including nine in a single game. The 23-year-old attributes her success not just to her wrestling family's athletic genes but to years of dedicated training and the guidance of coaches Azad Singh, Rupinder Pal Singh, and Taeke Taekema. Despite a career-threatening injury last year, Deepika has made a strong comeback, focusing on skill, consistency, and discipline, with an eye on Olympic qualification.
The Indian women's hockey team is set to face Australia in a four-match series in Perth, aiming to build momentum for the upcoming FIH Nations Cup in Auckland.
Ladakh has inaugurated its first international-level artificial ice hockey rink, a state-of-the-art facility costing Rs 42 crore. Equipped with a 24x7 chilling system, it allows year-round training, overcoming the previous limitation of a short natural ice season. This development is expected to boost winter sports, nurture local talent, and promote sports tourism in the region.
The Indian men's hockey team defeated the Netherlands 3-2 in their final match of the FIH Pro League Rotterdam leg.
India's Women's Junior Hockey team delivered a dominant performance, defeating Pakistan 19-0 to secure a spot in the semi-finals of the Women's Junior Asia Cup. The team showcased relentless attacking prowess, scoring consistently throughout the match and converting multiple penalty corners.
Veteran Indian midfielder Manpreet Singh, preparing for his fourth and potentially final Hockey World Cup, expresses his determination to lead India to its first title in 51 years. He highlights the team's experience, preparation, and focus on fitness and defence, confident in their ability to reach the final.
Punjab is set to host the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament in October, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann assuring full support to Hockey India for organising the event. The tournament will be played in Jalandhar and Mohali, featuring the top six men's teams from the Asian Games.
India's junior men's hockey team began their AHF Junior Men's Asia Cup title defence with an overwhelming 14-0 victory against Indonesia in their opening Pool A match. Prabhdeep Singh scored five goals, while captain Anmol Ekka added four and Ajeet Yadav contributed a hat-trick, showcasing India's strong attacking prowess.
India's U-18 women's hockey team started their Asia Cup campaign with a 2-1 victory over Malaysia, thanks to a brace from Nousheen Naz.
The Indian junior women's hockey team concluded a seven-match exposure tour of the UK, securing three wins and four losses against various international teams. This tour served as crucial preparation for the upcoming Under-21 Asia Cup in China, providing valuable experience and insights into areas for improvement.
Hockey India has announced the Indian U-18 Men's and Women's squads for the upcoming home series against Australia, which will be held in Bhopal from May 15 to 20. The series is a crucial part of the teams' preparations for the U-18 Asia Cup in Japan.
India's men's hockey team, led by captain Harmanpreet Singh, secured a 3-1 victory over Wales in their Hockey World Cup opener. Harmanpreet, who scored two goals, expressed satisfaction with the win, emphasizing the importance of a strong start. Despite conceding a late goal, the team remains confident and focused on a podium finish.
India finished fourth at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games with 85 medals, a significant dip from the previous edition's record haul. While traditional strongholds like shooting and athletics underperformed, breakthroughs in archery, wrestling, golf, boxing, hockey, and cricket showcased a broadening sporting base. The performance serves as a reality check on sustaining progress towards top global rankings and highlights areas for improvement in mental conditioning and preparation.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is undertaking a significant restructuring of its national hockey programme following a dismal performance in the FIH Pro League, where the team failed to win any matches, including two losses to India. The PHF plans to hire foreign coaches and trainers from countries like Australia, Netherlands, or Germany to develop players at all levels and modernise the sport in Pakistan.
The Sports Ministry conducted a review of India's Asian Games performance, scrutinising the lower-than-expected medal haul in athletics and badminton. Chaired by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the meeting addressed issues like injured athletes and future planning for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with a strong emphasis on federations delivering results and nurturing young talent.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has issued directives to various departments to ensure top-tier arrangements for the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament, set to take place in Jalandhar and Mohali from October 27 to November 5. Mann emphasised the need for world-class facilities, robust security, and comprehensive crowd management, while also calling for a statewide trophy tour and student participation to foster public enthusiasm and showcase Punjab's rich sporting heritage. He personally inspected venues and stressed the importance of cleanliness, beautification, and hospitality for international delegations.
Dutch hockey legend Taeke Taekema believes the Indian women's hockey team possesses the talent to replicate China's remarkable journey to an Olympic silver medal, provided they focus on fundamental skills and secure qualification for the Los Angeles Olympics.
India has announced its 20-member women's hockey squad for the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Led by Salima Tete, the team aims to secure a gold medal, which would qualify them for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The squad features a mix of experienced players and promising juniors, with minor changes from the recent FIH Nations Cup-winning team.
India's Women's Hockey team will compete against higher-ranked Germany in the fifth-place playoff at the Women's Hockey World Cup, aiming to conclude their impressive campaign with a victory and build momentum for the upcoming Asian Games.
Legendary Dutch dragflicker Taeke Taekema has joined the senior Indian women's hockey team for a specialised training camp focused on dragflicking and penalty-corner execution during the ongoing tour of Australia and New Zealand.
