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According to reports from The New Indian Express, The Times of India and Odisha media outlets, each player received ₹11 lakh, while every member of the support staff was awarded ₹5.5 lakh. The men’s team and its support staff received ₹2.75 crore in total, while the women’s contingent received ₹2.86 crore.
Majhi presented the awards at a felicitation ceremony at Kalinga Stadium. The event recognised the players, coaches and support personnel involved in the two campaigns, which delivered continental titles and Olympic qualification for Indian hockey.
Three Odisha players were also given separate awards of ₹20 lakh each: men’s team defenders Amit Rohidas and Shilanand Lakra, and women’s team player Sunelita Toppo. All three are associated with Sundargarh district, a region with a long-standing connection to hockey in Odisha.
The men’s team won the Asian Games final with a 5–1 victory over Malaysia, retaining the title it had won at the previous edition. The win also secured India a place in the men’s hockey competition at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
The women’s team defeated defending champions China 1–0 in the final. The victory ended a 44-year wait for Asian Games gold, with India’s previous women’s title coming in 1982. Like the men, the women secured direct qualification for the 2028 Olympics through their Asian Games triumph.
The double success gave Odisha an opportunity to recognise both national teams together. The state has been a major backer of Indian hockey, and the reward announcement continues its public support for the sport following the teams’ results in Japan.
Odisha has served as an official sponsor of India’s men’s and women’s national hockey teams since 2018, according to reports covering the ceremony. The state government has said it intends to continue that sponsorship until 2036. Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey credited Odisha’s long-term financial backing with helping the sport develop nationally.
The state has also announced investments in sports infrastructure beyond Bhubaneswar. Reports from the ceremony cited a government plan to build stadiums at block level with investment exceeding ₹4,000 crore, along with a proposed Global Sports Complex at Gothapatna. These plans are part of a broader effort to expand access to sports facilities, although the projects have separate timelines and should not be confused with the hockey reward programme.
At the ceremony, state Sports and Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj described hockey as more than a sport in Odisha, calling it part of the state’s identity. The recognition of Rohidas, Lakra and Toppo also highlighted the contribution of players from Odisha to the national teams.
Cash awards provide direct recognition to athletes and support staff after major international results. The ₹11 lakh award for each player and ₹5.5 lakh for each support staff member acknowledges that success depends on more than the athletes on the field: coaching, medical support, preparation and team operations all contribute to performance.
The additional awards for Rohidas, Lakra and Toppo underline the state’s effort to recognise players with local roots who have contributed to national success. For young players in Odisha, their achievements offer visible examples of athletes from the state reaching the highest level of international competition.
The ceremony connects India’s international hockey success with grassroots sporting identity in Odisha. The men’s team’s retained title and the women’s historic gold both brought Olympic qualification, while the state’s reward scheme and sponsorship commitment show how public investment can support national teams. The longer-term test will be whether continued funding, facilities and athlete development help sustain results beyond a single tournament.
The next milestone for both teams is preparation for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Their Asian Games gold medals secured qualification, but Olympic performance will depend on future training, competition and squad preparation. Odisha’s announcement provides financial recognition for the achievement while reinforcing the state’s continued association with Indian hockey.
