Sports Minister Rewards U-18 Teams for Asia Cup Success in Japan

To encourage the young players and acknowledge their effort, the Sports Minister handed over a cheque of ₹21 lakh to the women's team.

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya felicitated the Indian men's and women's Under-18 hockey teams in New Delhi on Monday, celebrating their impressive performances at the recently concluded Under-18 Asia Cup in Japan. The ceremony was held at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) headquarters, where the minister praised the young athletes for bringing pride to the country through their achievements on the continental stage.

The Indian U-18 men's team emerged as champions after defeating hosts Japan 4-1 in the final at Kakamigahara. Led by captain Ketan Kushwaha, the team delivered a dominant campaign throughout the tournament and finished with the coveted title. Recognising their achievement, Dr Mandaviya presented the men's team with a cash reward of ₹61.5 lakh.

Women's Team Earns Bronze with Strong Finish

The Indian U-18 women's team also returned with a podium finish after securing the bronze medal. Under the leadership of Captain Sweety Kujur, the team defeated Korea 3-0 in the third-place match to conclude the tournament on a high note. To encourage the young players and acknowledge their effort, the Sports Minister handed over a cheque of ₹21 lakh to the women's team.

Addressing both squads, Dr. Mandaviya congratulated the players for their dedication and perseverance. He told them that their recent success should be viewed as the beginning of a much bigger journey rather than the final destination. He encouraged the athletes to constantly raise their own standards, explaining that players who score goals should strive to score even more, while goalkeepers and defenders should continue improving their ability to stop opponents. He stressed that excellence in sports, like success in any field, comes from complete commitment and consistent hard work.

Coaches and Standout Players Also Recognised

During the felicitation programme, Dr. Mandaviya honoured several individuals who delivered exceptional performances during the tournament. Ashish Tani Purti and Nousheen Naz, who finished as the leading scorers for the men's and women's teams respectively, received special recognition for their contributions. Goalkeeper Ayush Rajak was also felicitated for his remarkable performances, including saving 10 goals during the competition and playing a key role in India's title-winning campaign.

The Sports Minister also acknowledged the efforts of former Indian hockey captains Sardar Singh and Rani Rampal, who guided the men's and women's teams as coaches during the tournament. Their experience and mentorship were widely credited with helping the young squads perform confidently on the international stage.

Dr Mandaviya reiterated the Government of India's commitment to strengthening the country's sporting ecosystem and said that developing young talent remains a key part of the vision to establish India as a global sporting powerhouse. He added that the achievements of these young hockey players demonstrate the growing depth of talent in Indian sports and offer encouragement for future international competitions.