Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey:<\/b> Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey hailed the historic Asian Games campaign after both the Indian men\u2019s and women\u2019s teams won gold medals and secured direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, saying the achievement reflected the hard work of the players, coaches and support staff.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The men\u2019s team retained its Asian Games title with a commanding 5-1 victory over Malaysia in the final at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium on Saturday, a day after the women\u2019s team defeated defending champions and Paris Olympics silver medallists China 1-0 to reclaim the gold medal. \u201cBoth teams had the same aim: to win the Asian Games and then qualify for LA. Both teams have done it. It is a very proud moment for us,\u201d Tirkey told IANS after the men\u2019s final.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The double gold also created history for Indian hockey, with the men\u2019s and women\u2019s teams winning the Asian Games title at the same edition for the first time.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Tirkey also pointed out the striking similarity between India\u2019s last two men\u2019s Asian Games final victories. India had defeated Japan 5-1 in the Hangzhou final and repeated the same scoreline against Malaysia in Kakamigahara.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBoth teams have performed very well. The women\u2019s team played a very good game against China, who are a tough team, Olympic silver medallists and the last Asian Games champions. We beat them 1-0, and today we beat Malaysia 5-1,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Tirkey praised the entire men\u2019s squad and coaching staff, with special mention for captain Harmanpreet Singh, Abhishek, Dilpreet Singh and Manpreet Singh. \u201cThe chief coach, supporting staff, captain Harman, Abhishek, Dilpreet, Manpreet and all the players performed very well. From the beginning, everyone played together, and everyone had the same aim,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With both teams now assured of Olympic qualification, Tirkey promised Hockey India would provide all necessary support in the build-up to Los Angeles. \u201cThe coach is very experienced, and everything happens according to his plan and programme. Whatever the team needs in the future, we will try to provide everything. Whether it is an exposure tour, a tournament in Europe or a coaching programme, Hockey India will try to provide all the facilities,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Hockey India has also announced a cash reward of Rs 11 lakh each for the players of both gold-winning teams, while members of the respective support staff will receive Rs 5.5 lakh each.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Tirkey stressed that Olympic selection would ultimately depend on performance and fitness, while urging players from Odisha and other states to continue working hard as competition for places increases.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThose who play well will come into the team. Maintaining fitness and their game is the responsibility of the players. Olympic Games are the Olympics, and the competition in modern hockey has increased a lot,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He also highlighted Hockey India\u2019s grassroots efforts in Odisha, particularly in Sundargarh, where turf facilities, academies and hostels have been developed across blocks.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cEvery block in Sundargarh has a turf, academies and hostels. We are also organising grassroots programmes, and the government is doing a lot in other districts. But proper training programmes need to be organised on these grounds,\u201d Tirkey said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Tirkey said that greater emphasis is needed on fitness, technical skills, drag-flickers and goalkeepers to strengthen India\u2019s hockey pipeline.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cEvery block in Sundargarh has a turf, academies and hostels. We are also organising grassroots programmes, and the government is doing a lot in other districts. But proper training programmes need to be organised on these grounds,\u201d Tirkey said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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