Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Indian women’s hockey team for securing the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup 2025-26 championship, commending their remarkable performance that brought pride and joy to the nation. The team’s victory over hosts New Zealand with a 2-0 score in the final match in Auckland was highlighted by Modi as an inspiration for others to take up hockey. India’s success in the tournament, marked by an unbeaten streak, secured them a promotion to the next season’s FIH Hockey Women’s Pro League.
India’s triumph in the final was kickstarted by Navneet Kaur’s early goal from a penalty corner in the fourth minute, followed by Sunelita Toppo’s goal in the 15th minute off Deepika’s shot. The team’s strong performance throughout the tournament, including wins against the USA, Japan, Uruguay, and a 6-0 victory over Chile in the semifinals, showcased their dominance. This win marked India’s second Nations Cup title after their inaugural win in 2022.
In the final match, India capitalized on their opportunities, with Navneet and Sunelita extending the lead early on. The team’s solid defense, led by goalkeeper Savita, thwarted New Zealand’s attempts to score, maintaining India’s two-goal advantage. Lalremsiami was recognized as the Player of the Match for her standout performance, while Deepika emerged as one of the top scorers in the tournament with six goals, sharing the lead with Ashley Sessa from the USA.
To honor the team’s achievement, Hockey India announced a cash prize of Rs 3 lakh for each player and Rs 1.5 lakh for every support staff member, celebrating their success in the prestigious tournament.
