Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya commended the Indian men’s and women’s lacrosse teams for securing gold at the Asian Lacrosse Games in Riyadh. He urged them to continue their hard work towards qualifying for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Mandaviya stressed the importance of determination, exposure, and consistent effort in advancing emerging sports like lacrosse.
In a video shared on X, Mandaviya praised the teams for their outstanding performance at the Asian Lacrosse Games 2026. He credited the growth of emerging sports in India to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasizing the nation’s progress in the sporting arena. The minister assured ongoing government support for athletes through initiatives like Khelo India while underscoring the significance of passion and perseverance.
India’s remarkable success at the Asian Lacrosse Games in Riyadh included clinching gold in both the men’s and women’s Sixes events. The Indian teams triumphed over Iraq in the men’s final and Pakistan in the women’s final, showcasing their prowess on the international stage. The women’s team made their international debut in 2024, followed by the men’s team in 2025, enhancing the significance of their achievements.
A notable aspect of India’s triumph was the diverse representation of athletes from various states across the country. Athletes from regions such as Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Haryana, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Assam, Jammu & Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh contributed to the success of the lacrosse teams. The Asian Lacrosse Games, organized by the Asia-Pacific Lacrosse Union, are part of the broader strategy to enhance competitive opportunities in the region ahead of lacrosse’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
India’s upcoming sporting calendar includes the 3rd Asian Lacrosse Games in Chengdu, China, scheduled for April, and the Asia-Pacific Sixes Lacrosse Championships in Australia in October. These events will serve as crucial qualifiers for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, furthering India’s presence on the global lacrosse stage.
