Indian Hockey Stars Celebrate Asian Games Success with PM Modi

Celebrating Victory with the Prime Minister

In New Delhi, Indian hockey luminaries Harmanpreet Singh, Savita Punia, and Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey expressed their joy after a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This gathering followed their teams' remarkable achievements at the 2026 Asian Games, where PM Modi shared motivational insights with the athletes, emphasizing the strong connection he has with them.

The Prime Minister engaged with India's Asian Games 2026 delegation at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on Thursday, where athletes, coaches, and officials convened to celebrate the nation's accomplishments in the multi-sport event.

The Indian men's hockey team triumphed in the 2026 Asian Games, defeating Malaysia 5-1 in the final, thus securing consecutive gold medals at this prestigious event. Additionally, the women's team claimed the title with a narrow 1-0 victory over China, marking a historic double gold finish for both teams at the continental competition. Their success also guarantees direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

Following the victories, Hockey India president Tirkey expressed gratitude for PM Modi's recognition of the teams' achievements, particularly praising the women's squad for their recent successes, which included winning the FIH Nations Cup, finishing fifth in the FIH Hockey World Cup, and clinching gold at the Asian Games.

Tirkey remarked, "The Prime Minister views this victory of the women's team as monumental. I sincerely thank him for his commitment to promoting sports and hockey. Our women's team has shown remarkable progress over the past six to seven months, emerging as a formidable force. Their performance during the World Cup and the Asian Games was exceptional."

He further highlighted the significance of defeating China, a top Asian team that secured silver at the last Olympics, stating, "The Indian women's team executed a brilliant strategy and displayed immense confidence throughout the tournament. Every player maintained peak fitness from the first match to the last."

Harmanpreet, the captain of the men's hockey team, expressed his delight at receiving a warm welcome from PM Modi upon their return. He noted the Prime Minister's consistent engagement with athletes before and after major tournaments.

"Meeting PM Modi was a wonderful experience. Receiving such a warm welcome and best wishes is truly uplifting. It was great for all of us athletes to gather and interact with the Prime Minister," Harmanpreet shared.

Savita, the former captain and most capped player of the women's team, also expressed her happiness after the meeting. She emphasized the importance of PM Modi acknowledging their historic gold medal win, the first since 1982, as a positive message for future generations. She noted that athletes from other countries often admire the engagement Indian players have with their Prime Minister.

"Meeting PM Modi is always a remarkable experience. Even during international competitions, other athletes comment on how fortunate we are to have a Prime Minister who engages with us. It is incredibly motivating to receive such recognition for our achievements. The acknowledgment of the women's hockey team's medal after 44 years sends a powerful message to the next generation, which I found truly inspiring," she concluded.