Oman, 28th August 2023: The Indian Women’s Hockey Team won the inaugural Women’s Hockey5s Asia Cup on Monday, which also served as Asia’s qualifying tournament for the Women’s Hockey 5s World Cup 2024, defeating Thailand 7-2 in the all-important Final. Subsequently, India qualified for the FIH Women Hockey 5s World Cup Oman 2024, finishing first in the Elite Group. For India, Mariana Kujur (2’, 8’), Monika Dipi Toppo (7’), Jyoti (10’, 27’), Navjot Kaur (23’), and Mahima Choudhary (29’) were on target. For Thailand, Kunjira Inpa (5’) and Sanpoung Kornkanok (5’) were on target.
~Hockey India announced Rs 2 lakhs for each player and Rs 1 lakhs for each support staff for their victory and excellent performance~
India made an aggressive start in the opening minutes of the first half as Mariana Kujur (2’) gave India the lead scoring an excellent field goal. However, Thailand scored two goals in quick succession through Kunjira Inpa (5’) and Sanpoung Kornkanok (5’) to put India on the back foot. India responded immediately through the in-form Monika Dipi Toppo (7’) as she made a brilliant penetration and scored a fine field goal to level the scores. India then took the lead through Mariana Kujur’s strike (8’). With four minutes remaining in the first half, Jyoti (10’) extended India’s lead to 4-2. At the end of the first half, India were leading Thailand by 4-2.
At the start of the second half, a charged-up India continued to play with pace and precision, testing Thailand’s defence constantly. Their efforts paid off as Captain Navjot Kaur (23’) added a fifth goal to the tally. With three minutes remaining, Jyoti pumped in another goal to make it 6-2 and then Mahima Choudhary made it 7-2. The match finished with the Indian Women’s Hockey Team winning 7-2.
For their triumph and excellent performance, Hockey India announced Rs 2 Lakh to each player of the team, while Rs 1 Lakh each for the support staff.
Congratulating the team on qualifying for the FIH Women Hockey 5s World Cup Oman 2024, Hockey India President Padma Shri Dr Dilip Tirkey said, “I congratulate the Indian Women’s Hockey Team for an excellent outing and qualifying for the FIH Women Hockey 5s World Cup Oman 2024. This was a brilliant team effort by everyone involved and I wish the team the best of luck for the FIH Women Hockey 5s World Cup Oman 2024.”
Hockey India Secretary General Shri Bhola Nath Singh said, “Huge congratulations to the Indian Women’s Hockey Team on winning the Women’s Asian Hockey 5s World Cup Qualifier and subsequently qualifying for the next year’s World Cup. You have made the entire country proud. It has been an exciting tournament and all the efforts and training over the past few months have paid off with this win.”
HOCKEY INDIA TEAM PARTNERS
Odisha (India’s Best Kept Secret) – Major Team Partner
Sports Authority of India (SAI)
Shiv Naresh
About HOCKEY INDIA
HOCKEY INDIA (HI) is the governing body with exclusive mandate to direct and conduct all activities for both men and women’s hockey in India. It is recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Govt. of India as the sole body responsible towards promoting Hockey in India.
Headquartered in New Delhi, Hockey India was established on 20th May, 2009 and is affiliated to the International Hockey Federation (FIH), the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and Asian Hockey Federation (AHF).
Committed to the development of Hockey in the country, Hockey India with the assistance of Sports Authority of India and Department of Sports, Government of India, trains players at sub-junior, junior and senior level. The governing body engages in Coaching the coaches with International Standard certification programs, educates and equips technical officials and umpires to find a foothold in international arena, provides world-class infrastructure and International exposure for the players besides regular international competition. Hockey India has also pioneered in bringing top International hockey events to India such as the FIH Men’s World Cup in 2010 and 2018, FIH Champions Trophy in 2014, FIH Junior Men’s World Cup in 2016 and 2021, FIH Hockey World League Final in 2017. With its vision to popularize the game and constantly promote it, Hockey India brought the Indian Men’s Hockey Team into the top three in the world. Hockey India is also dedicated to getting the Indian Women’s Hockey Team into the top three in the world.
About ODISHA
Odisha – the Eastern State of India – is known for its love for Hockey and over the years it has evolved to be the Global Hub of Hockey. The State successfully hosted the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018, followed by the FIH Men’s Series Finals Bhubaneswar Odisha, FIH Olympic Qualifiers Odisha, and FIH Hockey Pro League 2020-21. Odisha has previously hosted the Champions Trophy 2014 and the Odisha Men’s Hockey World League Final Bhubaneswar 2017. Odisha also hosted the FIH Men’s Hockey Junior World Cup in 2021.
Kalinga Lancers, the team owned by the State, were the winners in the Hockey India League 2017. Taking a step further towards realising the dream of restoring the glory of Indian Hockey at the global level, the State is sponsoring the Indian Hockey Teams till 2033.
Odisha also hosted the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023.