The Indian women’s hockey team is determined to secure the top spot and win the gold medal at the upcoming Hangzhou Asian Games, according to team captain Savita Punia. The team aims to build on their performance in the Tokyo Olympics and secure direct qualification for the 2024 Paris Games.
Reflecting on their previous Asian Games experience, where they narrowly missed out on the gold medal by one goal against Japan (1-2) in the final, Savita expressed the team’s increased determination to finish on top this time. In a recent episode of the Hockey Te Charcha podcast series launched by Hockey India, Savita shared her confidence in the team’s preparation and their aspirations for success.
The Hangzhou Asian Games present an opportunity for the Indian team to surpass their achievement of a silver medal in Jakarta four years ago. Savita emphasized that winning the gold medal is crucial for their direct qualification to the Paris Olympics. This would allow them to focus on the FIH Pro League and their ultimate goal of performing well in Paris 2024.
Savita, a Commonwealth Games (CWG) medalist and star goalkeeper, who was also honored with the prestigious Hockey India Balbir Singh Senior Award for Player of the Year (Women), discussed her dual role as the team captain and goalkeeper. She highlighted the additional responsibility she feels as a leader and her commitment to supporting her younger and less-experienced teammates with her expertise.
During the podcast, the discussion also touched upon the remarkable growth and recognition of women’s hockey in India over the past decade. Savita expressed her pride in the positive changes, noting that the sport now receives the respect and attention it deserves in terms of facilities, exposure, and recognition. The annual Hockey India Awards were also highlighted as a significant source of motivation for the team.
Savita expressed her joy in witnessing the financial independence of her teammates due to hockey. She acknowledged the significant improvements in the players’ livelihoods, highlighting the fact that they now have stable jobs and are able to support their families. This progress demonstrates the positive direction in which the sport is heading, with even the youngest team members experiencing financial stability. (Edited)