Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, 13 September congratulated India's junior men's and women's hockey teams after both sides swept the Junior Asia Cup titles in Moqi, China, marking a historic double for Indian hockey. The men successfully defended their crown with a commanding final victory, while the women's team completed a remarkable third consecutive title.

Historic Men's Final Victory

The Indian junior men's team produced a dominant display in the title clash, defeating South Korea 4-1 in the final. Goal-scorers Ajeet Yadav, Anmol Ekka, Prabhdeep Singh, and Ashu Maurya combined to deliver an emphatic performance. The triumph was particularly historic — India became the first side in Junior Asia Cup history to win the title four consecutive times, a record that underscores the remarkable consistency of the country's junior men's hockey programme.

Women's Team Seals Hat-Trick With Unbeaten Run

The Indian junior women's hockey team defeated hosts China 1-0 in the final, with Sanika Chandrakant Mane scoring the decisive goal in the 17th minute. The victory came at the end of an unbeaten campaign through the tournament, with India having also won the continental title in 2023 and 2024, making this their third straight Junior Asia Cup triumph. This level of dominance over three editions is unprecedented for the women's side.

PM Modi Hails 'Immense Talent' of Young Players

Prime Minister Modi praised both squads in posts on social media platform X. 'A proud moment for Indian hockey! Congratulations to our Junior Women's Hockey Team on retaining the Asia Cup with a superb unbeaten campaign. Their success reflects the talent and determination of the players. Best wishes to the entire team,' he wrote in one post.

In a separate message following the men's final, Modi added: 'Congratulations to our Junior Men's Hockey Team on winning the Asia Cup with an emphatic 4-1 win in the final. It is indeed a remarkable achievement. This feat reflects the immense talent of our young players. Best wishes to the entire team.'

Both Teams Qualify for Junior Hockey World Cup

Beyond the continental glory, the double triumph in China carries a significant long-term consequence. By winning their respective Junior Asia Cup titles, both the Indian men's and women's teams have secured direct qualification for the Junior Hockey World Cup. This means India's next generation of hockey talent will now compete on the global stage, a milestone that adds considerable weight to what was already a landmark weekend for Indian hockey.

What This Means for Indian Hockey

This is not merely a pair of tournament wins — it signals a sustained pipeline of talent emerging from India's junior hockey infrastructure. Notably, the men's programme has now produced four straight continental champions, and the women's side has been undefeated across multiple editions. This comes amid growing investment in India's grassroots hockey development and the continued success of senior teams at the international level. The Junior World Cup berths will serve as the next proving ground for these young players, many of whom are expected to graduate to senior squads in the coming years.