PM Modi congratulates Indian women's hockey team after U18 Asia Cup bronze
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Indian women's hockey team after they secured the bronze medal at the U18 Asia Cup 2026. Modi praised the side's grit and highlighted the growing strength of women's hockey in the country.
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the women's hockey team on Saturday after they secured the bronze medal at the U18 Asia Cup 2026 with a commanding 3-0 victory over Korea in the third-place playoff.
Taking to social media after India's podium finish, Modi praised the team's fighting spirit throughout the competition. "Congratulations to the Indian Women's U18 Hockey Team on securing the Bronze Medal at the U18 Asia Cup 2026. The team displayed remarkable grit throughout the tournament. This feat reflects the growing strength of women's hockey in India and the immense potential of our players. Wishing the team the very best for their upcoming endeavours," Modi posted.
India signed off from the tournament in style after overcoming Korea in a one-sided bronze-medal contest on Saturday.
Sandeepa Kumari opened the scoring as early as the second minute, giving India the perfect start and putting Korea on the back foot. The Indian side continued to dominate possession and control proceedings and doubled their lead through captain Sweety Kujur in the 16th minute.
Holding a comfortable two-goal cushion, India remained firmly in charge after the break and added a third goal in the 33rd minute through Nousheen Naz.
The striker finished the tournament as its leading goalscorer, taking her tally to 12 goals and underlining her status as one of the standout performers of the competition.
India's defence also impressed in the bronze-medal match, shutting out Korea and ensuring that the side finished the tournament with a clean sheet.
For her influential display and opening goal, Sandeepa Kumari was named Player of the Match.
The bronze-medal finish helped India end the tournament on a positive note after suffering heartbreak in the semifinals. The team had narrowly missed out on a place in the final after losing to China in a shootout.
Despite falling short of the title clash, India showcased its growing depth at the junior level throughout the competition, a point echoed by the Prime Minister in his congratulatory message.
The latest podium finish also continues India's encouraging progress in women's hockey, with several players from the U18 side expected to form the core of the country's future age-group and senior national teams.
INDIAN MEN'S TEAM WIN GOLD IN ASIA CUP
The Indian U-18 Men's Hockey Team were crowned champions of the Men's U-18 Asia Cup 2026 after defeating hosts Japan 4-1 in the final in Kakamigahara, Japan, on Friday.
Ashish Tani Purti (2', 28', 34') starred with a hat-trick, while captain Ketan Kushwaha (30') also found the back of the net as India produced a commanding display against the hosts to lift the title. Numada Gaku (52') scored Japan's lone goal of the contest.
To recognise the teams' achievements, Hockey India announced a cash award of INR 3 lakh for each player of the gold medal-winning Indian U-18 Men's Hockey Team and INR 1.5 lakh for each member of the support staff. Hockey India also announced a cash award of INR 1 lakh for each player of the Indian U-18 Women's Hockey Team, who secured the bronze medal earlier in the day, along with INR 50,000 for each member of the support staff.
India wasted no time in making their presence felt, winning a penalty corner inside the opening 90 seconds. Ashish Tani Purti (2') made no mistake with the finish, giving India an early lead. Japan grew into the quarter, testing India with four circle penetrations, but the Indian defence stood firm throughout as the first quarter ended with India leading 1-0.
The second quarter saw India extend their advantage despite sustained pressure from the hosts. Japan earned their first penalty corner of the night and looked threatening, but the equaliser continued to elude them.
India responded with purpose, earning a penalty corner of their own in the 28th minute. Ashish Tani Purti stepped up once again and delivered, driving a powerful shot into the net to make it 2-0. The momentum was firmly with India, and it showed almost immediately. Prahalad Rajbhar won the ball in a dangerous area, surged forward, and laid it off to captain Ketan Kushwaha (30'), who finished coolly to put India 3-0 ahead at half-time.
India remained relentless in the third quarter. A silky run from Varinder Singh resulted in another penalty corner, and Ashish Tani Purti completed his hat-trick with a clinical finish in the 34th minute to hand India a commanding 4-0 lead.
Japan pushed hard in the final quarter and, in the 52nd minute, Numada Gaku converted a penalty stroke to reduce the deficit to 4-1. However, the goal proved to be little more than a consolation. Japan earned three more penalty corners in the closing stages but could not find a way past the resolute Indian defence as India sealed a memorable victory and the championship title.
Ashish Tani Purti was awarded Player of the Match for his stellar performance, capping off an exceptional campaign that saw him emerge as the tournament's top scorer with 13 goals.
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the women's hockey team on Saturday after they secured the bronze medal at the U18 Asia Cup 2026 with a commanding 3-0 victory over Korea in the third-place playoff.
Taking to social media after India's podium finish, Modi praised the team's fighting spirit throughout the competition. "Congratulations to the Indian Women's U18 Hockey Team on securing the Bronze Medal at the U18 Asia Cup 2026. The team displayed remarkable grit throughout the tournament. This feat reflects the growing strength of women's hockey in India and the immense potential of our players. Wishing the team the very best for their upcoming endeavours," Modi posted.
India signed off from the tournament in style after overcoming Korea in a one-sided bronze-medal contest on Saturday.
Sandeepa Kumari opened the scoring as early as the second minute, giving India the perfect start and putting Korea on the back foot. The Indian side continued to dominate possession and control proceedings and doubled their lead through captain Sweety Kujur in the 16th minute.
Holding a comfortable two-goal cushion, India remained firmly in charge after the break and added a third goal in the 33rd minute through Nousheen Naz.
The striker finished the tournament as its leading goalscorer, taking her tally to 12 goals and underlining her status as one of the standout performers of the competition.
India's defence also impressed in the bronze-medal match, shutting out Korea and ensuring that the side finished the tournament with a clean sheet.
For her influential display and opening goal, Sandeepa Kumari was named Player of the Match.
The bronze-medal finish helped India end the tournament on a positive note after suffering heartbreak in the semifinals. The team had narrowly missed out on a place in the final after losing to China in a shootout.
Despite falling short of the title clash, India showcased its growing depth at the junior level throughout the competition, a point echoed by the Prime Minister in his congratulatory message.
The latest podium finish also continues India's encouraging progress in women's hockey, with several players from the U18 side expected to form the core of the country's future age-group and senior national teams.
INDIAN MEN'S TEAM WIN GOLD IN ASIA CUP
The Indian U-18 Men's Hockey Team were crowned champions of the Men's U-18 Asia Cup 2026 after defeating hosts Japan 4-1 in the final in Kakamigahara, Japan, on Friday.
Ashish Tani Purti (2', 28', 34') starred with a hat-trick, while captain Ketan Kushwaha (30') also found the back of the net as India produced a commanding display against the hosts to lift the title. Numada Gaku (52') scored Japan's lone goal of the contest.
To recognise the teams' achievements, Hockey India announced a cash award of INR 3 lakh for each player of the gold medal-winning Indian U-18 Men's Hockey Team and INR 1.5 lakh for each member of the support staff. Hockey India also announced a cash award of INR 1 lakh for each player of the Indian U-18 Women's Hockey Team, who secured the bronze medal earlier in the day, along with INR 50,000 for each member of the support staff.
India wasted no time in making their presence felt, winning a penalty corner inside the opening 90 seconds. Ashish Tani Purti (2') made no mistake with the finish, giving India an early lead. Japan grew into the quarter, testing India with four circle penetrations, but the Indian defence stood firm throughout as the first quarter ended with India leading 1-0.
The second quarter saw India extend their advantage despite sustained pressure from the hosts. Japan earned their first penalty corner of the night and looked threatening, but the equaliser continued to elude them.
India responded with purpose, earning a penalty corner of their own in the 28th minute. Ashish Tani Purti stepped up once again and delivered, driving a powerful shot into the net to make it 2-0. The momentum was firmly with India, and it showed almost immediately. Prahalad Rajbhar won the ball in a dangerous area, surged forward, and laid it off to captain Ketan Kushwaha (30'), who finished coolly to put India 3-0 ahead at half-time.
India remained relentless in the third quarter. A silky run from Varinder Singh resulted in another penalty corner, and Ashish Tani Purti completed his hat-trick with a clinical finish in the 34th minute to hand India a commanding 4-0 lead.
Japan pushed hard in the final quarter and, in the 52nd minute, Numada Gaku converted a penalty stroke to reduce the deficit to 4-1. However, the goal proved to be little more than a consolation. Japan earned three more penalty corners in the closing stages but could not find a way past the resolute Indian defence as India sealed a memorable victory and the championship title.
Ashish Tani Purti was awarded Player of the Match for his stellar performance, capping off an exceptional campaign that saw him emerge as the tournament's top scorer with 13 goals.
