CM Hemant Soren hails India's Asian Games glory
Synopsis
Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren celebrated India's Asian Games medal haul, offering special congratulations to women's hockey captain Salima Tete — a Jharkhand native — for winning a historic gold, and called the achievement an inspiration for millions of young Indians.
Key Takeaways
Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren posted on X on 3 October 2026 congratulating Team India on their Asian Games performance.
He gave special mention to women's hockey captain Salima Tete , who hails from Simdega, Jharkhand , for leading India to a historic gold medal.
Soren used the traditional Jharkhand greeting 'Johar' to honour the team, underlining the regional pride dimension of the achievement.
He described every medal as representing 'years of hard work, discipline, and struggle' by athletes from across the country.
The CM extended wishes to all athletes, coaches, and support staff who represented India at the Games.
Soren framed the victories as a source of inspiration for 'crores of young Indians' to pursue sports.
A historic gold for Indian women's hockey — with a Jharkhand daughter leading the charge — gave Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren every reason to take to X on Saturday, 3 October 2026, celebrating Team India's landmark Asian Games campaign with a special shout-out to captain Salima Tete.
Posting in Hindi, Soren described the performance of Indian athletes at the Asian Games as 'desh ke liye garv aur har Bhartiya ke liye swarnim kshan' — 'a moment of pride for the country and a golden moment for every Indian.' He offered his heartfelt congratulations and the traditional Jharkhand greeting 'Johar' to the Indian women's hockey team for winning what he called a 'historic gold medal.'
Salima Tete's gold — a win Jharkhand owns
Soren singled out Salima Tete, describing her as a 'jujharu kaptan' — a tenacious, fighting captain — and credited her leadership as central to the gold-medal run. Tete hails from the Simdega district of Jharkhand, a tribal heartland that has quietly become one of India's most productive nurseries for women's hockey. Soren underlined that this achievement brings glory to Jharkhand as much as to the nation at large.
The CM noted that every medal — gold, silver, or bronze — carries 'years of hard work, discipline, and struggle' behind it. He extended his best wishes to all athletes, coaches, and support staff who represented India at the Games.
A message aimed at India's next generation
Soren closed with a forward-looking note, saying these achievements will inspire 'crores of young people across the country to step onto the sports field and realise their dreams.' It is a familiar but pointed message from a chief minister whose state produces a disproportionate share of India's grassroots sporting talent — particularly in hockey and archery — often from its most economically marginalised communities.
When a girl from Simdega lifts a gold medal on Asia's biggest stage, the inspiration is not abstract. It lands in every village that watched her leave.
Point of View
A tribal woman from Simdega, Soren ties Jharkhand's sporting legacy to the JMM's broader narrative of championing adivasi communities. The state has long been a disproportionate supplier of grassroots sporting talent despite limited infrastructure investment, making these moments politically resonant. For Soren, celebrating Tete is simultaneously a governance claim: that Jharkhand's people can compete and win at the highest levels, validating his administration's focus on tribal welfare and youth opportunity.
NationPress
3 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Salima Tete and why is she significant?
Salima Tete is the captain of the Indian women's hockey team and a native of Simdega district in Jharkhand. She is celebrated as one of India's most dynamic midfielders and a role model for tribal youth in the region.
What did Hemant Soren say about the Asian Games?
CM Hemant Soren called India's Asian Games performance a 'golden moment for every Indian,' offered special congratulations to the women's hockey team for their historic gold under Salima Tete's captaincy, and extended wishes to all medal-winning athletes, coaches, and support staff.
Did India's women's hockey team win gold at the Asian Games?
Yes, according to CM Soren's post on 3 October 2026, the Indian women's hockey team won a historic gold medal at the Asian Games under the captaincy of Salima Tete.
What is 'Johar' and why did Soren use it?
'Johar' is a traditional greeting of respect used widely among tribal communities in Jharkhand. Soren used it to greet and honour the Indian women's hockey team, underscoring the Jharkhand connection through captain Salima Tete.
Why is Jharkhand significant in Indian women's hockey?
Jharkhand, particularly its Simdega district, has produced a remarkable number of Indian women's hockey players, many from tribal backgrounds, making it one of India's most important grassroots pipelines for the sport despite limited infrastructure.
