Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Tirkey Hails Historic Asian Games Hockey Double, Backs LA 2028
India’s men’s and women’s hockey teams both won gold medals at the Asian Games.
This was the first time both Indian teams won the title at the same Games.
The men beat Malaysia 5-1, and the women beat China 1-0.
Their wins also earned them places at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey praised the athletes and their coaches.
He said Hockey India would try to provide what the teams need to prepare.
The organization also announced cash rewards for the players and support staff.
Tirkey said players will need to stay fit and perform well to earn places on the Olympic teams.
India’s men’s and women’s hockey teams both won gold at the Asian Games, the first time they have done so at the same edition.
The men retained their title by beating Malaysia 5-1; the women defeated China 1-0 to reclaim gold.
Both teams secured direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey praised the players, coaches and support staff and promised backing for their Olympic preparations.
Hockey India announced rewards of Rs 11 lakh for each player and Rs 5.5 lakh for each support-staff member on both teams.
- Who
- India’s men’s and women’s hockey teams, and Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey.
- What
- Both teams won Asian Games gold and directly qualified for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics; Tirkey promised support for their preparations.
- When
- At the Asian Games; the men’s final was on Saturday and the women’s final was the previous day.
- Where
- At the Asian Games in Kakamigahara, Japan; the men’s final was at Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium.
- Why
- Both teams aimed to win the Asian Games and qualify directly for the Olympics.
- Men’s final
- India beat Malaysia 5-1.
- Women’s final
- India beat China 1-0.
- Olympic qualification
- Both teams secured direct qualification for Los Angeles 2028.
- Historic achievement
- The men’s and women’s teams won Asian Games gold at the same edition for the first time.
- Player reward
- Rs 11 lakh each for players on both gold-winning teams.
- Support-staff reward
- Rs 5.5 lakh each for members of the respective support staffs.
- Preparation support
- Tirkey said Hockey India would try to provide facilities such as exposure tours, European tournaments and coaching programmes.