Odisha announces ₹11 lakh rewards for each player in Asian Games hockey win

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced cash rewards of ₹11 lakh each for members of India’s women’s hockey team after their gold-medal victory at the 2026 Asian Games. Each member of the team’s support staff will receive ₹5.5 lakh, according to the Odisha Chief Minister’s Office. The announcement followed India’s 1-0 win over defending champions China in the final on Friday.

The victory ended India’s 44-year wait for the Asian Games women’s hockey gold. It also secured qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The Chief Minister’s Office congratulated the team and said the award recognised the players’ performance, determination and commitment.

It added that Odisha remained committed to supporting Indian hockey and encouraging sporting excellence. The reward is in addition to a prize announced earlier by Hockey India. Bhupendra Singh Poonia, secretary of the Odisha Sports Department, said the payment announced by the Chief Minister would be over and above the Hockey India award.

India last won the Asian Games women’s hockey gold in 1982. The latest title therefore marked the end of a gap lasting more than four decades. Odisha has been the official sponsor of India’s senior and junior men’s and women’s hockey teams since 2018.

The state became the first Indian state to sponsor the national hockey teams and is due to continue as official sponsor until 2036. The announcement applies to the players and support staff of the team that won the final in Japan. The supplied material does not give the total value of the rewards or identify the individual players and staff members who will receive them.