Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced cash awards of ₹11 lakh for every player and ₹5.5 lakh for each member of the support staff of the Indian men’s hockey team, recognising their gold-medal triumph at the Asian Games 2026.
The announcement, issued by the Chief Minister’s Office, congratulates the squad on a commanding performance that saw India defeat Malaysia 5-1 in the final at Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium.
Captain Harmanpreet Singh scored twice, with further goals from Jugraj Singh, Hardik Singh and Shilanand Lakra sealing a dominant victory. The result marks India’s fifth Asian Games men’s hockey gold and the first successful defence of the title in the event’s history.
CM Majhi congratulated Amit and Shilanand, the Odia players of the Indian men’s hockey team, over the phone following their victory in Asiad hockey.
The gold also completes a landmark double for Indian hockey. The women’s team had already beaten China 1-0 the previous day to claim their first Asian Games title since 1982.
Together, the two victories represent the first time both Indian teams have finished as champions at the same Asian Games, while both sides secured direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Earlier today, the Odisha CM had announced a cash reward of Rs 11 lakh for each player of the Indian Women’s Hockey Team squad following their historic Gold Medal victory at the Asian Games 2026.
Odisha’s decision to reward the men’s and women’s teams sits within the state’s long-standing support for the sport.
The Chief Minister’s Office noted that Odisha “stands proudly with our champions and remains committed to supporting sporting excellence,” reflecting the state’s role as a major hub for hockey development and infrastructure in India.
