Indian Hockey Team

No sweets till LA, vows Savita as India women chase World Cup, Asiad medals

No sweets, no chocolates, or fast food until the Los Angeles Olympics -- this is the self-imposed diet pledge taken by the Indian women's hockey team as they sharpen their focus on securing podium finishes at the FIH World Cup and the Asian Games, says the legendary goalkeeper Savita Punia. The Indian team, which scripted history with a fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics, continues to follow their strict fitness regime introduced by the strength and conditioning coach Wayne Lombard, who is back with the team as scientific advisor and head of athletic performance during the Olympic cycle. "Wayne is as good a trainer as he is strict. He has set very high standards for fitness and always says that if you want to achieve something, you must be willing to sacrifice," Savita told PTI in an interview. She recalled the first decision was to eliminate sugar and junk food from the team's diet before the Tokyo Olympics, and the change in the team's fitness levels is evident. "The first

India out to make history at Hockey World Cup, says coach Craig Fulton

Fully aware of the legacy he is chasing, Indian men's hockey team chief coach Craig Fulton is determined to break the 51-year-old medal jinx at the World Cup, and said the Harmanpreet Singh-led is eyeing to "write its own piece of history" in the upcoming showpiece. Fulton, who guided India to their second consecutive bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, very well knows that consistency will be key if India are to win a drought ending medal at the upcoming World Cup in The Netherlands and Belgium from August 15 to 30. Eight-time Olympic gold medallist, India boast of only three World Cup medals, the last of which -- a gold -- came way back in the 1975 edition in Kuala Lumpur under Ajit Pal Singh's captaincy. "1975 was the last time India won it and what's important is to get consistency in the tournament and bring that consistency into the Asian Games and we win the Asian Games as a priority as well," the 51-year-old South African told PTI. "We are excited about the opportunity. ...

Indian men, women start FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian C'ships on winning note

The Indian sub-junior men's and women's teams made a winning start to their respective campaign at the FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship 2026 here on Monday. The Indian teams are placed in the elite pools of the men's and women's competition. The Indian women's team was the first to start its campaign on the tournament's opening day, against Kazakhstan, and won 8-3. The men's team faced Bangladesh in their opening and registered a 7-3 victory. The tournament is also the Asian qualifier for the inaugural FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup.

Sports ministry orders Hockey India probe into Lakra misconduct claims

The Sports Ministry directed Hockey India to investigate allegations of intimidation and harassment levelled by former India captain Asunta Lakra and to share the outcome of the findings with the ministry. Lakra had urged the sports ministry through an email to intervene urgently against what she described as the institutional protection of sexual harassment, intimidation and victimisation of women athletes in hockey. Accusing HI general secretary Bhola Nath Singh of intimidating her, Lakra alleged that individuals accused of misconduct were being protected while those raising concerns were subjected to intimidation and retaliation. "I am directed to forward the email dated 10.07.2026 received from Ms Asunta Lakra, former captain of the Indian Women's Hockey Team and a member of the Executive Board of Hockey India. She has requested the constitution of an independent enquiry into allegations of sexual harassment, institutional intimidation, and related issues concerning women ...

India can defeat any opponent with right execution, says coach Fulton

India can beat any country in the world if the team sticks to its game plan, asserted the national men's hockey side head coach Craig Fulton after a strong performance in the last leg of its otherwise overall poor campaign in the FIH Pro League. India registered confidence-boosting victories over the reigning world champions Germany and 2024 Olympics gold medallists Netherlands, while taking the fight against world No. 3 England down to the wire during the European leg of the Pro League. India, however, finished at the eighth spot out of nine teams with 19 points from 16 matches, one rung above Pakistan (zero point from 16 matches). "One of the biggest takeaways from this Pro League run has been watching the team's confidence grow. Wins over Germany and the Netherlands, plus a strong showing against England, prove that when we stick to our game plan, we're capable of matching and beating anyone in the world," Fulton said. "It's a solid stepping stone heading into the World Cup and

FIH Pro League: India defeat Pakistan 7-1, register biggest win of campaign

A dominant India thrashed arch-rivals Pakistan 7-1 in their return leg match of the FIH Pro League here on Friday. In their previous fixture, India were held 2-2 by hosts England in regulation time, but then lost 1-4 in the shootout. In their earlier meeting, India clinched a 4-3 win against Pakistan, courtesy goals from Abhishek, Nilakanta, Sukhjeet and Rajinder. India will take on England in their final match here on Sunday. In the match against Pakistan on Friday, India secured a penalty corner in the ninth minute, but Harmanpreet's flick was denied by the Pakistan defence. Pakistan shocked India by taking the lead in the 13th minute when Abu Mahmmod converted a penalty corner with a powerful flick. India responded back in the 20th minute, when Harmanpreet's flick was neatly deflected in by Sukhjeet from a set piece. India secured another penalty corner in the 26th minute and this time Harmanpreet scored, finding the top corner of the Pakistan goal. India earned another pena

FIH Pro League 2026: India vs Pakistan hockey match live time, streaming

India can climb to seventh in the FIH Pro League standings with a victory over Pakistan in their penultimate match of the season

1984 Olympic bronze medallist Gurbax Singh Grewal passes away at 84

Grewal was known as a pacey forward who represented India at the Mexico City Olympics in 1968, where the team secured a bronze medal

Indian women's hockey team gears up for Argentina four-match series

The Indian senior women's hockey team will tour Argentina for a four-match series, set to be held at the CeNARD in Buenos Aires from April 13 to 17. Indian team will play its matches on April 13, 14, 16, and 17 at Argentina's National Centre of High Performance Athletics (also known as CeNARD). India and Argentina have enjoyed competitive encounters in recent years, including a thrilling 2-2 draw decided by shootout in the FIH Pro League 202425 last June. This upcoming tour will offer valuable match practice against quality international opposition ahead of the FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium and Netherlands and the Asian Games later this year. The series will serve as important preparation for India, offering four high-tempo matches, while also giving the team an opportunity to explore different combinations and tactics. Speaking on the tour, Indian women's hockey team chief coach Sjoerd Marijne said, "We are travelling to Argentina with a squad of 24 players, and that is a very

Sub-junior women's hockey Nationals to host 29 teams across divisions

A total of 29 teams will compete across three divisions when the 16th Hockey India Sub Junior Women's National Championship begins here with five matches on Wednesday. The tournament will run till April 12 and the participating teams will compete across Division 'A', Division 'B', and Division 'C', in a promotion and relegation format introduced last year. While Division 'A' teams will vie for the championship title, the top two teams from Divisions 'B' and 'C' will earn promotion. The bottom two teams in Divisions 'A' and 'B' will face relegation for the next edition. Division 'A' features 12 teams divided into four pools, with the knockout stages scheduled from April 9, culminating in the Final on April 12. The host side Hockey Jharkhand headlines Pool A and will be joined by Bihar (BSSA) and Maharashtra. Pool B includes Odisha, Punjab, and Andhra Pradesh. In Pool C, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Manipur will compete, while Pool D comprises Mizoram, Uttar Pradesh Hockey, and ...

Women's hockey camp eyes fitness boost, tactics ahead of WC 2026 campaign

Building combinations, improving fitness levels, and sharpening tactical aspects will be the key focus areas when the tried-and-tested group of 31 probables assemble for the senior women's national hockey camp from April 1 to prepare for the World Cup later this year. The camp will be conducted at the Sports Authority of India's National Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The team is currently basking in the glory of a strong performance at the recently-concluded FIH World Cup Qualifiers in Hyderabad, where it secured a silver medal to qualify for the World Cup in Belgium and Netherlands in August. The camp comes at a crucial juncture as India are also set to compete in the Nations Cup in June, followed by the World Cup and the Asian Games scheduled from September 19 to October 4 in Japan. The goalkeeping unit includes Savita Punia, returning after missing the FIH World Cup Qualifiers in Hyderabad, alongside Madhuri Kindo, Bansari Solanki, and Bichu Devi Kharibam, the recent Hockey

Manpreet Singh denies Tirkey fallout, keen to continue till Asian Games

Veteran midfielder Manpreet Singh on Friday rubbished rumours of a fall-out with Hockey India supremo Dilip Tirkey, clarifying that the former India skipper has in fact encouraged him to surpass his record of being the most-capped player for the senior national team. Tirkey currently holds the record of making 412 international appearances, the most by an Indian men's hockey international and Manpreet, at 411, is just two matches shy of breaking his long-standing record. While there were rumours that all was not well between Manpreet and Tirkey after the veteran midfielder was dropped from the list of core probables for the FIH Pro League earlier this year, the duo came out in public to clear the misunderstanding. Manpreet on Friday expressed his desire to continue playing at least till the Asian Games and then will take a call on his future depending upon his fitness. "At present my focus is on the Asian Games and I will continue to play till the Asian Games as I am fit and traini

Olympic medallist Gurjant Singh calls time on international hockey career

India's two-time Olympic medallist Gurjant Singh on Friday retired from international hockey after an illustrious career, saying it's the appropriate time to quit after losing his place in the national team due to a back injury last year. Gurjant represented India in 130 matches at the senior level and also helped the team win a gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games in China. The 31-year-old forward from Khailara village in Amritsar was a member of the Indian team that won back-to-back bronze medals at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics. He announced his retirement during the eighth Hockey India Annual Awards ceremony here on Friday. "Since June Pro League last year I was forced to sit out of the senior team due to a back injury. I was out of hockey for nearly 7-8 months," Gurjant told PTI. "After that, I played Hockey India League and domestic hockey but never could return back into the side. So I felt it is the appropriate time to quit and give the juniors a chance." He, however, will

Hockey World Cup 2026 full schedule, IND vs PAK match date, live streaming

The Indian men's hockey team has been placed in a challenging group alongside arch-rivals Pakistan, England and Wales for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026

Marijne plans mixed tours and camps before World Cup, Asian Games

India women's hockey team chief coach Sjoerd Marijne is banking on a mix of overseas tours, competitive exposure and national camps to ready the side for the World Cup and Asian games this year. The World Cup is scheduled to be held in Belgium and Netherlands in August, while the Asian Games will take place in Japan in September. The Indian women's team will compete in the FIH Hockey Nations Cup in Auckland from June 15 to 21. They are also scheduled to tour the United States and Argentina, and play matches against Germany and the Netherlands. "We have a tour to USA and Argentina, the Nations Cup in New Zealand, and practice matches in Germany. We will also play some matches in the Netherlands," Marijne said in media release. "These scheduled games combined with our camps set us up for a very good mix of matches and training to be ready for the World Cup and Asian Games." India have been placed in Pool D alongside England, China and South Africa. China are the top-ranked side in

India drawn with Pakistan in 2026 men's Hockey World Cup group stage

The Indian men's team has been drawn alongside arch-rivals Pakistan, strong contenders England and Wales in the group stage of the FIH Hockey World Cup to be co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium later this year. During the draw ceremony held here on Tuesday at the iconic Wagener Stadium in Amsterdam, the Indian women's team was placed alongside China, England and South Africa in the prestigious tournament, scheduled to be held from August 15 to 30. Both the Indian men's and women's teams, placed in Pool D in their respective categories, will play their matches in the Netherlands, according to the International Hockey Federation (FIH), which added that the full match schedule will be announced on Wednesday. Germany, the reigning men's champions who clinched their third World Cup title in 2023 in Bhubaneswar by defeating Belgium, have been placed in Pool B alongside Belgium, France and Malaysia. "The draw was done by hockey legends Naomie van As, Barbara Neelen and Teun de Nooije

FIH Women's Hockey WC 2026 qualifier final India vs England live streaming

Although India have already secured qualification for the 2026 Women's Hockey World Cup by reaching the semi-finals, the final presents a chance for the hosts to cap off their home campaign with a win

India cruise past Wales 4-1, confirm Women's Hockey World Cup spot

Star forward Navneet Kaur stole the spotlight with a brilliant hat-trick, while Sakshi Rana opened the scoring at the G. M. C. Balayogi Hockey Stadium on Wednesday evening.

India vs Spain HIGHLIGHTS FIH Pro League 2026: India remain winless after a 0-2 loss to Spain

India vs Spain Hockey Match highlights: India will now face Australia next on Sunday with hopes of securing their first win of the season

FIH Pro League 2026: India vs Spain hockey match live time, streaming

India will look to secure their first win of the season after suffering four straight losses at home