Indian Women's Hockey Team Wins Silver at Youth Hockey5s

The Indian Women’s Hockey Team finished as runners-up at the Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship in Muscat, Oman, after going down 2-4 to China in the Final on Saturday. Earlier in the day, India booked their place in the summit clash with a commanding 8-1 victory over Kazakhstan in the Semi-Final.

China made a strong start to the Final, taking the lead through Tongtong Lu in the opening minute. Kexin Tang doubled China’s advantage in the 5th minute before Jiaxin Guo made it 3-0 a minute later. India responded after the break as Nousheen Naz found the back of the net in the 13th minute to reduce the deficit.

However, Chen Ge restored China’s three-goal lead in the 19th minute. Pushpa Manjhi scored in the 20th minute to give India hope, but China held on to register a 4-2 victory and lift the title.

Earlier in the Semi-Final, India produced a dominant display against Kazakhstan. Sandeepa Kumari opened the scoring in the 5th minute before Pushpa Manjhi struck in the 6th minute and added two more goals in the 8th minute to put India firmly in control.

Kazakhstan’s Ayanat Mazhim scored in the 10th minute, but India continued to dictate the game. Captain Diya scored twice in the 13th and 16th minutes, while Shruti Kumari also found the net in the 16th minute. Nousheen Naz completed the scoring in the 20th minute as India sealed an emphatic 8-1 victory to book their place in the Final.

Recognising the team’s outstanding performance, Hockey India announced a cash prize of ₹1 lakh for each player of the Indian Women’s Hockey Team and ₹50,000 for each member of the support staff in recognition of their achievement at the championship.

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With their impressive run in Muscat, India have also secured qualification for the FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup, marking another important milestone for the young team on the global stage.

Looking Ahead: The Growing Promise of Indian Youth Hockey

The silver-medal campaign in Muscat highlights the rapid progression of India’s youth pipeline in the fast-paced Hockey5s format. While falling just short in a competitive final against a sharp Chinese side, the young squad displayed commendable resilience, attacking flair, and tactical maturity throughout the tournament.

Standout performances from dynamic forwards like Pushpa Manjhi—who proved lethal in front of goal—and steady leadership from Captain Diya showcase the remarkable depth emerging from grassroots programs. Scoring 10 goals across the knockout stages underlines an aggressive brand of hockey that bodes well for future international outings.

Crucially, securing qualification for the FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup gives this team a vital platform to test their skills against top global opposition. The financial incentives announced by Hockey India reflect a strong commitment to nurturing young talent and acknowledging performance on the big stage. As these athletes continue to develop, this campaign in Oman stands as a foundational stepping stone toward solidifying India’s presence at the peak of global hockey.