Captain savita punia

Bichu Devi Kharibam: India’s goalkeeper Bichu Devi Kharibam said the team’s hard work finally paid off after the women’s hockey team ended a 44-year wait for a gold medal in the Asian Games and secured direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics with a 1-0 victory over China in the final here on Friday.

India produced a disciplined defensive performance to protect Lalremsiami’s 10th-minute goal and reclaim the Asian Games women’s hockey title for the first time since 1982. Captain Savita Punia also made a crucial penalty-stroke save as China pushed hard for an equaliser.