Hemant Soren Honors Asian Games Gold Medalist Hockey Players
Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren felicitates women's hockey stars for their historic Asian Games gold medal and Olympic qualification.
In a celebratory moment for Jharkhand's sporting community, Chief Minister Hemant Soren met and felicitated the stars of the Indian women's hockey team following their historic gold medal victory at the 2026 Asian Games. The meeting, held at the Chief Minister's Residential Office in Ranchi, honored the exceptional talent of the players hailing from the state.
A Historic Achievement for Jharkhand and India
The group of gold medalists included prominent players such as captain Salima Tete, Nikki Pradhan, Beauty Dungdung, and Deepika Soreng. During the interaction, Chief Minister Soren engaged with the athletes, inquiring about their rigorous preparations and listening to their firsthand experiences on the field.
To mark the occasion, the Chief Minister boosted the morale of the champions by offering them sweets and presenting them with traditional Angavastra (stoles). Soren remarked that the contribution of Jharkhand's players to this golden success is a matter of immense pride for both the state and the nation. He noted that their talent, discipline, and indomitable spirit have added a glorious new chapter to the state's sports history.
Direct Path to Los Angeles 2028 Olympics
This victory is not merely about continental dominance; it carries significant weight for the future of Indian hockey. The gold medal win secures direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. This milestone is particularly poignant following a challenging Olympic cycle for the team, which had narrowly missed out on qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics despite a strong fourth-place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
The tournament was also a showcase of individual brilliance, with Deepika Sehrawat finishing as the top goalscorer with 21 goals, followed by teammate Navneet Kaur with 10 goals. This performance ensures that after four decades of waiting, Indian women's hockey has reclaimed its position at the summit of Asian hockey.
Inspiration for the Next Generation
Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister emphasized that these achievements would serve as a beacon of inspiration for the youth and athletes of Jharkhand, especially the daughters of the state. He reaffirmed the state government's commitment to nurturing sporting talent across the region.
The ceremony was also attended by MLA Kalpana Soren, who offered her congratulations and encouragement to the players. Other notable attendees included Vijay Shankar Singh (DG, Hockey Jharkhand), Rajnish Kumar (International Wrestling Coach and CEO, Jharkhand), and General Secretary Manoj Kumar Prasad.