New Delhi: India’s women’s hockey team celebrated a landmark achievement after clinching the FIH Women’s Nations Cup title in Auckland and securing qualification for the next season of the FIH Women’s Hockey Pro League.
Led by captain Salima Tete, the Indian side remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, winning all five matches, including the group stage, semifinal and final. India defeated hosts New Zealand 2-0 in the title clash, with goals from Navneet Kaur and Sunelita Toppo.
Following the triumph, Hockey India announced a cash reward of ₹3 lakh for each player and ₹1.5 lakh for every member of the support staff in recognition of the team’s outstanding performance.
Head coach Sjoerd Marijne praised the team’s growth and composure throughout the competition, describing the title as an important milestone.
“We are delighted to win our first tournament together as a team. After the disappointment of missing out in the World Cup qualifiers, it was important to learn how to win a final. The players improved with every match and relied on a disciplined defensive structure. We also converted several penalty corners effectively, although there is still room for improvement in our field-goal conversion rate,” Marijne said.
The Dutch coach added that handling expectations as the tournament’s top-ranked side was a significant challenge, but the team demonstrated resilience under pressure.
“When you enter a competition as favourites, nothing comes easy. The players showed they can handle pressure. Competing against the world’s top teams in the Pro League will provide invaluable experience for our younger players and help us reach the next level,” he said.
Captain Salima Tete echoed her coach’s sentiments and highlighted the significance of returning to the Pro League.
“Winning the Nations Cup and bringing the trophy home is a special achievement for us. Every player worked incredibly hard to achieve this goal. Securing our place back in the FIH Women’s Hockey Pro League is extremely important for the team, and I am proud that we accomplished our objective,” she said.
Looking ahead to the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup later this year, Tete believes the title-winning campaign has provided the squad with renewed confidence and momentum.
“Our confidence has grown significantly. The team is playing with a strong mindset, and every match in the Nations Cup was important. This victory gives us the perfect platform to prepare for future challenges and the upcoming World Cup,” she added.
The Nations Cup triumph marks another significant step in the resurgence of Indian women’s hockey and offers a timely boost ahead of a busy international season.
