India's Lacrosse Team Aims for Olympic Glory After Historic Asian Games Victory

A Historic Achievement for Indian Lacrosse

Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], March 16: Following a remarkable double gold win at the Asian Lacrosse Games 2026, Anudeep Reddy, the captain of the Indian men's lacrosse team, is optimistic about the team's prospects for the upcoming Olympics as they gear up for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

In Riyadh, India made history by securing gold medals in both men's and women's lacrosse, triumphing over Iraq and Pakistan, respectively. This marked the nation's inaugural international success in the sport. For Reddy and his teammates, this victory signifies more than just medals; it demonstrates that a relatively new sport in India can achieve global recognition.

The 27-year-old captain expressed that this moment is particularly significant for a team that has only been formed for a few years.

"The entire Indian team has been playing for just two and a half to three years. Winning the gold medal at such a prestigious event was an incredible experience, especially since it is India's first international medal in lacrosse. We are thrilled about this achievement," Reddy shared.

Setting the Stage for Olympic Aspirations

Reddy noted that this success has significantly enhanced the team's confidence as they prepare for the Olympic qualifiers. "This victory has set a positive tone for both the Olympic qualifiers and the 2028 Olympics," he stated.

Lacrosse is among the five sports included in the program for the 2028 Summer Olympics, where the faster 'sixes' format will be utilized. Reddy, who leads the Indian teams in both field lacrosse and lacrosse sixes, elaborated on the differences between the two formats.

"Field lacrosse is the traditional version, played on a larger field with 10 players on each side. In contrast, lacrosse sixes is much quicker, played on a smaller field with six players per team," he explained.

He emphasized the rapid pace of the sixes format, which consists of four eight-minute quarters. "Field lacrosse lasts about an hour, while lacrosse sixes is only 32 minutes long. It's extremely fast-paced," he added.

Preparations Underway for LA28

India's preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics are already in motion, with the Asia-Pacific Olympic qualifiers set to occur in Australia this October.

"We have participated in several international tournaments recently, and winning double gold at the Asian Lacrosse Games was a crucial starting point for our Olympic preparations. We have multiple national camps scheduled in the coming months, along with a few international tournaments," Reddy mentioned.

Despite their recent achievements, Reddy acknowledged that lacrosse in India is still in its infancy and largely relies on grassroots initiatives.

"Currently, everything has been developed from the ground up. We have been managing most aspects ourselves. The Lacrosse Association of India has been supportive, but we are looking for more assistance from the government," he stated.

"With government backing and support from the ministry, we can establish a more structured approach to our future preparations," Reddy added.

A Diverse Team with Unique Backgrounds

Interestingly, Reddy's journey into lacrosse began with hockey, similar to many of his teammates. "I was a hockey player before discovering lacrosse. It intrigued me as it incorporates many skills from hockey," he shared.

The team's diversity is one of its standout characteristics, with players hailing from various states and professions, including students, working professionals, and business owners.

"The youngest player is 15 years old (Narayan Lal Gameti), while the oldest (Belagal Husseinsaab) is around 32. Some are students, others are employed, and some run their own businesses. Each player has a unique story," he noted.

Training is a collaborative effort, with most practice sessions occurring at the state level, supplemented by national camps every few months.

"Typically, we train for about two hours in the morning and another two to two-and-a-half hours in the evening. National camps happen every two to three months, which is when we engage in most of our serious practice," Reddy explained.

Looking Ahead to Future Competitions

Reddy also acknowledged the contributions of women's captain Sunita Meena, who leads a more experienced women's team that has been competing internationally since 2023.

"The women's team has a longer history in India than the men's team. They have been participating in lacrosse sixes at the international level since 2023, while we only began in 2025," he remarked.

He praised national coach Neeraj Batra, a former hockey player and coach, for his guidance of both the men's and women's teams.

As the Indian captain looks to the future, he emphasized the team's focus on upcoming competitions, including the Asian Lacrosse Games in Chengdu in April and the vital Asia-Pacific Olympic qualifiers later this year.

With the confidence gained from their gold medal at the Asian Lacrosse Games and the Olympic qualifiers approaching, Reddy believes that India's young lacrosse team is just beginning its journey, hoping to maintain their momentum all the way to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.