Lucknow: Indian hockey has continued to strengthen its position in Asia, with the men’s and women’s teams achieving significant success under the tenure of chief selector Dr RP Singh, who also heads Hockey Uttar Pradesh.
Addressing a press conference in Lucknow following the 20th Asian Games in Japan, Dr Singh discussed the teams’ performances, selection strategies and plans for the future. He said both Indian teams had won gold medals at the continental event, reflecting the progress made in recent years.
He added that the next priority was to provide players with consistent opportunities and prepare them to compete successfully at the highest international level. The selection committee, he said, has focused on current form, fitness and international experience while building competitive combinations for senior teams and nurturing talent at junior and under-18 levels.
Consistent Success in Asian Competitions
India’s recent achievements include the men’s gold and women’s bronze at the 2023 Asian Games, followed by the men’s title at the Asian Champions Trophy. The women’s team also won the inaugural Ranchi edition of the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in 2023.
At the Paris Olympics in 2024, the Indian men secured bronze before winning another Asian Champions Trophy title. The men subsequently won the 2025 Asia Cup in Rajgir and finished runners-up at the 31st Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
The women’s team won the 2024 Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in Rajgir, finished runners-up at the 2025 Women’s Asia Cup and topped the 2026 FIH Women’s Nations Cup.
Junior Teams Strengthen India’s Hockey Pipeline
India’s success has extended to age-group and five-a-side competitions. Both the men’s and women’s teams won gold at the 2026 Junior Asia Cup in China. At the Under-18 Asia Cup in Kakamegahara, the Indian boys won gold, while the girls claimed bronze.
The men’s junior team also secured bronze at the 2025 FIH Junior World Cup in Tamil Nadu and finished runners-up at the 2025 Sultan of Johor Cup, following bronze-medal finishes in 2023 and 2024. Both Indian junior teams had earlier won gold at the 2024 Junior Asia Cup in Muscat.
In five-a-side hockey, India’s men won the 2026 Asian Hockey5s title, while the women finished second. The Indian women had also secured silver at the 2024 FIH Hockey5s Women’s World Cup.
Improving Performance at the Global Level
Despite their strong record in Asia, India’s performances at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup highlighted the challenges ahead, with the men finishing eighth and the women fifth.
Dr Singh said sustained international exposure, national training camps and participation in major tournaments would be important in preparing players for demanding international contests. The objective, he indicated, was to translate India’s continental success into stronger performances and podium finishes at the world level.
Dr Anandeshwar Pandey, general secretary of the Uttar Pradesh Olympic Association, congratulated both Indian teams on their Asian Games gold medals. He said Dr Singh’s experience as chief selector could contribute significantly to Indian hockey’s development and expressed confidence that the teams would continue to represent the country successfully.
Rajneesh Mishra, secretary of Hockey Uttar Pradesh, also highlighted Dr Singh’s long association with the sport and his administrative experience. He said efforts were continuing to promote hockey across Uttar Pradesh and identify emerging talent.
Dr RP Singh’s International Career
Dr RP Singh is a former captain of the Indian men’s hockey team and an international player. He represented India at the 1986 Seoul and 1990 Beijing Asian Games, the 1989 Asia Cup, and the 1986 and 1990 World Cups. He was also part of the gold-medal-winning Indian teams at the 1988 Pre-Olympic tournament and the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
In administration, he has overseen several national and international hockey events in Uttar Pradesh, including the 2016 Junior Hockey World Cup in Lucknow and the 2019 Indo-French Women’s Hockey Test Series.
With India continuing to produce results across senior, junior and five-a-side formats, the focus now remains on building depth, sustaining consistency and converting regional dominance into success on the global stage.
