Hockey India announces cash reward for women's team after historic 5th at World Cup

The Indian women's hockey team's impressive World Cup campaign has been rewarded, with Hockey India announcing a Rs 50 lakh cash prize for the squad following their historic fifth-place finish at the FIH Hockey World Cup.

India signed off from the tournament in style on Thursday, beating world No. 5 Germany 3-1 in the fifth-place playoff in Amstelveen. Led by Salima Tete, the team achieved India's best finish at the World Cup in more than five decades, since the women's side finished fourth in the inaugural edition in 1974.

The campaign was marked by remarkable resilience, with India losing only once throughout the tournament. They drew against higher-ranked China, England and Australia, thrashed South Africa 6-1 and rounded off their journey under chief coach Sjoerd Marijne with a memorable victory over Germany.

The players will be getting Rs. 2 lakhs each with the members of the support staff getting one lakh.

Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey was



overjoyed with the performance of the women's team. Tirkey praised Marijne's side for their hardwork, resilience and fighting spirit throughout the tournament.

The HI president hopes that the cash reward will inspire the players to perform well in the coming tournaments.

"This is a historic result for Indian women's hockey. To finish fifth at a World Cup after 52 years is a testament to the hard work, resilience and fighting spirit this team has shown throughout the tournament."

"On behalf of Hockey India, I am pleased to announce a cash award of INR 50 lakh for the team as a token of our appreciation, and I hope this inspires the players to keep raising the bar," he added.

The Indian women's team will now turn their attention towards the Asian Games, where they will be aiming to improve on their bronze medal finish in the last edition.

India are in Pool B alongside Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Uzbekistan.