Odisha CM announces ₹11 lakh reward for each player after India’s Asian Games hockey gold

India’s historic return to the top of Asian women’s hockey has brought a cash reward from the Odisha government, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announcing ₹11 lakh for each member of the gold-winning national team.

The support staff will receive ₹5.5 lakh each, the Chief Minister’s Office said on Saturday. The announcement came a day after India defeated defending champions and Olympic silver-medallists China 1-0 in the Asian Games final in Japan.

Gold medal ends 44-year wait

India’s victory ended a 44-year wait for the women’s hockey team to win Asian Games gold. The team had last claimed the title in 1982.

The triumph also secured India a direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Lalremsiami scored the only goal of the final in the 10th minute with a reverse-stick strike, while goalkeeper Savita played a crucial role in preserving the lead with a penalty-stroke save.

India held firm against sustained Chinese pressure to complete the historic victory. The team is led by captain Salima Tete, with Sjoerd Marijne serving as chief coach. Hockey India’s official tournament listing names the full squad and support staff for the 2026 Asian Games.

Odisha reward comes in addition to Hockey India prize

Majhi congratulated the players for their performance, determination and commitment, saying their achievement had brought immense pride to the country.

The Odisha government said it would continue to support Indian hockey and nurture sporting excellence.

Odisha Sports Department Secretary Bhupendra Singh Poonia told PTI that the ₹11 lakh announced by the chief minister for each player is over and above the reward announced by Hockey India on Friday.

Hockey India had also announced ₹11 lakh for every player and ₹5.5 lakh for each support staff member following the team's gold-medal triumph.

Odisha has backed national hockey teams since 2018

The state government has a long-standing association with Indian hockey. Odisha became the first Indian state to sponsor the national hockey teams in 2018.

The Odisha government is currently the official sponsor of both the Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams, across the senior and junior categories, and is set to continue in that role until 2036.

The sponsorship has made Odisha a prominent institutional backer of Indian hockey, with the state continuing its commitment to supporting the sport at the national level.