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Hockey India Announces ₹50 Lakh Reward Following Women's Team World Cup Success

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Aug 29, 2026, 05:15 IST

Hockey India has awarded the women's national team ₹50 lakh after they secured a fifth-place finish at the FIH Hockey World Cup, marking the squad's strongest performance in the tournament in over five decades.

Hockey India Announces ₹50 Lakh Reward Following Women's Team World Cup Success

Hockey India has officially announced a cash reward of ₹50 lakh for the women’s national team following their impressive fifth-place finish at the FIH Hockey World Cup. The announcement, made on Friday, August 28, 2026, serves as a formal recognition of the squad's performance during the tournament held in Amstelveen.

The team secured this milestone result on Thursday, August 27, 2026, by defeating Germany, the world’s fifth-ranked side, with a score of 3-1 in the classification match. This victory marks the best finish for the Indian women's side at the World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1974, where they finished in fourth place.

A Campaign Defined by Resilience

Under the guidance of Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne, the Indian side demonstrated significant consistency throughout the competition. The team concluded their campaign having suffered only a single defeat. Their journey included hard-fought draws against high-ranked opponents such as China, England, and Australia, alongside a dominant 6-1 victory over South Africa.

The final win against Germany solidified their standing in the tournament, capping off a series of performances that highlighted the team's tactical growth and physical endurance on the international stage. The result has been widely noted as a significant step forward for the program, ending a 52-year wait for a top-five placement at the global event.

Leadership Commends Team Effort

Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey praised the squad for their dedication and competitive spirit throughout the tournament. In his official statement, Tirkey emphasized that the achievement reflects the collective hard work and resilience of the players, noting that the result serves as a testament to the progress made by the team.

Regarding the financial incentive, Tirkey stated that the ₹50 lakh award is intended as a token of appreciation for the players' efforts. He expressed hope that this recognition would serve as motivation for the team to continue their development and maintain high standards in future international competitions.