Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday, June 6, 2026, congratulated India's men's and women's under-18 hockey teams after the country achieved a historic double at the U18 Asia Cup 2026 — the men's side claiming the title and the women's side securing the bronze medal.

Context

The Indian Men's U18 Hockey Team defeated defending champions and hosts Japan in the final to lift the U18 Asia Cup 2026 title. Rijiju described the occasion as 'a proud moment for Indian hockey', extending congratulations to both squads. The Indian Women's U18 Hockey Team added to the celebrations by claiming the bronze medal at the same tournament.

Rijiju, a senior BJP leader from Arunachal Pradesh who regularly celebrates national sporting achievements, wrote: 'These achievements reflect the growing strength of hockey among the youth of Bharat.' His post carried two images marking the occasion.

Policy Backdrop

The twin podium finishes come against the backdrop of sustained government investment in youth sports. The Khelo India programme, launched in 2017, was specifically designed to create a national talent pipeline and improve sports infrastructure for young athletes across Olympic disciplines, including hockey.

The Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), introduced in 2014, provides financial and training support to promising athletes, and hockey players at junior levels have benefited from its expanded scope. India's bronze medal in men's hockey at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics — the country's first Olympic hockey medal in 41 years — catalysed fresh focus on junior and youth categories as federations sought to sustain that momentum.

Hockey India, the national federation, has since prioritised international exposure for under-18 squads, treating continental events like the U18 Asia Cup as critical stepping stones toward senior-level targets including the Asian Games and the Olympics.

Stakeholders and Impact

The results are significant for Hockey India and the country's broader sports ecosystem. Youth players from multiple states benefit from the talent pathways created by centrally sponsored schemes, and a title win against a strong Japan side — which entered the tournament as both hosts and defending champions — signals competitive depth in the Indian junior pipeline.

State sports departments and academies that feed players into national youth camps are also stakeholders in these outcomes, as international success at the under-18 level strengthens the case for continued budgetary support for grassroots hockey infrastructure.

What's Next

Attention will now shift to selection announcements for the 2026 Junior World Cup squad, where players from the U18 Asia Cup-winning men's side are expected to be strong contenders. Any additional funding allocations for hockey infrastructure in the next Union Budget will also be watched closely by the sports community. For the women's team, the bronze medal at this level sets a marker for future continental campaigns as India looks to close the gap with the region's top sides.