Hockey India Announces Rs 50 Lakh Reward for Women's Team's Best-Ever World Cup Finish

What Happened?

Hockey India announced on 28 August 2026 a cash reward of Rs 50 lakh for the Indian women's hockey team after it finished fifth at the FIH Hockey Women's World Cup 2026, co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands. This is India's best result at the tournament since finishing fourth at the inaugural 1974 edition.

Key Highlights

• India, captained by Salima Tete, secured fifth place with a 3-1 win over Germany in the classification match at Amstelveen, Netherlands.
• Each player will receive Rs 2 lakh, and each support staff member Rs 1 lakh.
• India's previous best was fourth place at the inaugural 1974 World Cup held in Mandelieu, France.
• Hockey India is the national governing body for hockey in India.

TNPSC Relevance

Hockey is governed globally by the International Hockey Federation (FIH), founded in 1924, headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland. India has won eight Olympic gold medals in men's hockey.

3 TNPSC MCQs

1. Who captained the Indian women's hockey team at the 2026 FIH Women's World Cup?
   (a) Rani Rampal (b) Savita Punia (c) Salima Tete (d) Vandana Katariya
   Answer: (c) Salima Tete
   Explanation: Salima Tete captained India to its best-ever fifth-place finish.
2. Which countries co-hosted the FIH Hockey Women's World Cup 2026?
   (a) India and Belgium (b) Belgium and Netherlands (c) Germany and Netherlands (d) Spain and Argentina
   Answer: (b) Belgium and Netherlands
   Explanation: The tournament was co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.
3. The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is headquartered in:
   (a) Geneva, Switzerland (b) Lausanne, Switzerland (c) Zurich, Switzerland (d) The Hague, Netherlands
   Answer: (b) Lausanne, Switzerland
   Explanation: FIH, founded in 1924, is headquartered in Lausanne.