Hockey India announces prize money for the women’s team after a historic fifth-place finish at the World Cup

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

India bowed out of the tournament in style on Thursday, beat world number 5 Germany 3-1 in the play-off for fifth place in Amstelveen. The Salima Tete-led team achieved India’s best World Cup finish in over five decades as the women’s side finished fourth in the inaugural edition in 1974.

The campaign was characterized by remarkable resilience, with India losing only once during the tournament. They drew with higher-ranked China, England and Australia, beat South Africa 6-1 and capped their journey under head coach Sjoerd Marijne with a memorable victory over Germany.

Players will get Rs. 2 million each, with support staff members getting one million each. (Credit: Dilip Tirkey X)

WHAT HE SAID AFTER THE CASH REWARD ANNOUNCED

Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey was extremely happy with the performance of the women’s team. Tirkey praised Marijne’s team for their hard work, resilience and fighting spirit throughout the tournament.

The HI President hopes that the prize money will inspire the players to perform well in the upcoming tournaments.

“This is a historic result for Indian women’s hockey. To finish fifth in the World Cup after 52 years is a testament to the hard work, resilience and fight this team has shown throughout the tournament.”

“On behalf of Hockey India, I am delighted to announce a prize money of INR 50 thousand for the team as a token of our appreciation and hope that it inspires the players to keep raising the bar,” he added.

The Indian women’s team will now turn their attention to the Asian Games where they will look to improve on their bronze finish last year.

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

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Published on:

28 Aug 2026 22:19 IST