Fulton Eyes Fresh Squad for LA 2028 After Asian Games Glory
Following the Asian Games gold, head coach Craig Fulton reveals plans to refresh the Indian men's hockey squad for the LA 2028 Olympics.
Following a historic triumph at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Indian men’s hockey head coach Craig Fulton has set his sights on the future. After leading the team to defend their continental crown with a dominant 5-1 victory over Malaysia, the focus is already shifting toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Fulton revealed that once the upcoming Hockey India League (HIL) concludes, he intends to overhaul the roster. The goal is to strike a perfect equilibrium between seasoned veterans and emerging talent to ensure India remains a powerhouse on the global stage.
A Blueprint for Los Angeles 2028
While the 2028 Olympics might seem distant, Fulton is treating the timeline with urgency. He emphasized that the roadmap involves meticulous planning across various stages of preparation.
“LA 2028 is within two years. It seems a long way off, but it obviously comes around pretty quick. I think at the moment we’re just trying to get the right schedule, the right planning in place,” Fulton stated.The coach noted that while the current squad possesses significant experience, the depth of Indian hockey is growing. He pointed to the strength of the Indian A team and the robust Under-21 squad as the primary sources for the upcoming transition.
“In the next two-three months, I think just post the Hockey India League, we’ll have a look at all the talent that we have, choose a new squad, and start afresh from there,” the 51-year-old added.
Defending the Crown: A Historic Milestone
The decision to rebuild comes on the heels of a monumental achievement. For the first time in the sport’s history, the Indian men’s hockey team successfully defended their Asian Games gold medal. This victory also secured their direct qualification for the Los Angeles Olympics.
The journey to the gold was not without its drama. In the semi-finals, India faced a massive scare against arch-rivals Pakistan. Despite an early 3-0 lead fueled by goals from Harmanpreet Singh and Sukhjeet Singh, Pakistan fought back to level the score at 3-3.
Fulton reflected on that intense encounter, noting that Pakistan’s ability to capitalize on opportunities put the team under immense pressure. However, a last-minute goal by Abhishek snatched victory and propelled India into the final.
The Impact of Support and Resources
The success of both the men’s and women’s hockey teams was bolstered by significant institutional backing. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) provided INR 77.8 Crore to support the programs, covering essential areas such as:
- National coaching camps
- International competition exposure
- Remuneration for foreign coaches
- High-quality equipment support
Fulton expressed deep gratitude for this assistance, noting that government funding is the backbone of the development pipeline, from grassroots levels through to the U-18, U-21, and senior national teams.
With the double gold finish—a first for both men's and women's hockey at the Asian Games—India has cemented its status as a continental giant, setting the stage for a massive talent hunt aimed at Olympic glory.