The Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, honored the Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Head Office in New Delhi for their outstanding performance in the Under-18 Asia Cup in Japan. The Indian U-18 men’s hockey team, led by captain Ketan Kushwaha, clinched the U-18 Asia Cup 2026 title by defeating hosts Japan 4-1 in the final. Dr. Mandaviya presented a cheque of INR 61.5 lakh to the men’s team in recognition of their achievement.
Meanwhile, the Indian U-18 women’s hockey team, under captain Sweety Kujur, secured the bronze medal at the Under-18 Asia Cup by defeating Korea 3-0 in the bronze medal match. Dr. Mandaviya awarded the women’s team with a cheque of INR 21 lakh to motivate their success. The Minister commended both teams for their dedication and success, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement and commitment to excellence in sports and studies.
Dr. Mandaviya expressed pride in the teams’ accomplishments, encouraging them to aim higher and maintain unwavering dedication. He highlighted the government’s commitment to transforming India into a sports powerhouse, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision. Additionally, the Sports Minister recognized the Best scorer in both men’s & women’s teams, Ashish Tani Purti and Nousheen Naz, along with the best goalkeeper, Ayush Rajak, for their exceptional performances in the tournament.
Former Indian hockey captains Rani Rampal and Sardara Singh, now serving as coaches for the Indian women’s and men’s teams at the Under-18 Asia Cup, were also honored for their contributions to the teams’ success.
