The Indian women’s hockey team has departed for Japan to compete in the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, with two major targets: winning the gold medal and securing a direct qualification berth for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Led by captain Salima Tete and coached by Sjoerd Marijne, India enters the tournament with strong confidence following an impressive 2026 campaign.
The Asian Games carry added significance because the highest-placed eligible women’s hockey team can secure an Olympic quota place under the FIH LA 2028 qualification system, provided it has not already qualified through another route.
For India, the objective is therefore clear: challenge for the Asian Games gold medal while attempting to book its place at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Captain Salima Tete said the team was confident after its recent performances but recognised that the Asian Games would bring a fresh challenge.
India heads into the competition after producing several notable results this year.
The team won the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup, defeating New Zealand 2-0 in the final and earning promotion to the FIH Pro League.
India also recorded a historic fifth-place finish at the World Cup.
During the World Cup campaign, India suffered only one defeat. The team held higher-ranked China, England and Australia to draws, defeated South Africa 6-1 and ended its campaign with a 3-1 victory over Germany, ranked fifth in the world.
These performances have provided the squad with considerable confidence ahead of the Asian Games.
India has been drawn in Pool B, alongside:
- 🇯🇵 Japan
- 🇹🇠Thailand
- 🇸🇬 Singapore
- 🇮🇩 Indonesia
- 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan
India will begin its campaign against Uzbekistan on September 20.
| Date | Opponent |
|---|---|
| September 20 | Uzbekistan |
| September 21 | Indonesia |
| September 23 | Thailand |
| September 25 | Japan |
| September 27 | Singapore |
The knockout stage begins on September 30, with the gold-medal match scheduled for October 2.
Captain Salima Tete said the Nations Cup and World Cup performances had strengthened the team’s belief in its abilities.
She acknowledged that every tournament presents a new challenge but said India’s focus was on taking its recent progress one step further.
The team’s immediate goals are to fight for the gold medal and secure direct qualification for the Los Angeles Olympics.
The 20-member squad combines experienced international players with promising young talent.
Key players include Savita, Navneet Kaur, Neha, Nikki Pradhan, Lalremsiami and Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, while Salima Tete will lead the side as captain.
Indian Women’s Hockey Squad
Savita, Bichu Devi Kharibam, Ishika Chaudhary, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Lalthantluangi, Jyoti, Shilpi Dabas, Nikki Pradhan, Sakshi Rana, Sunelita Toppo, Salima Tete (C), Neha, Deepika Soreng, Lalremsiami, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, Navneet Kaur, Deepika, Ishika, Baljeet Kaur and Beauty Dungdung.
