Asian Games 2026: India Targets Olympic 2028 Berths Through Hockey Success

Kakamega, September 19 – The upcoming Asian Games present a dual opportunity for India’s men’s and women’s hockey squads: to win medals and to secure direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

The men’s team, led by captain Harmanpreet Singh, opens Pool A against Indonesia. After a disappointing eighth‑place finish at the World Cup, the side is keen to re‑establish its dominance. India has previously lifted the Asian Games gold four times (1966, 1998, 2014, 2022) and aims to add another title while also vying for the Olympic slot granted to the gold‑medal winner.

Coach Craig Fullton said the World Cup exposed specific weaknesses. “We have discussed each aspect and identified improvement zones. Now it’s execution time,” he noted, underscoring the urgency to convert lessons into wins.

Pool A also features South Korea – a four‑time Asian Games champion – and Japan, the 2018 gold medallists, alongside Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, promising a challenging group stage.

On the women’s side, captain Salima Tete will lead the team against Uzbekistan in Pool B. The squad finished fifth at the recent World Cup, the best finish in over half a century, and will look to improve on a bronze earned at the last Asian Games.

China, the reigning Asian Games champion and Olympic silver medallist, tops the pool, with additional opponents Indonesia, Thailand, Japan and Singapore. A gold‑medal performance would automatically secure India’s ticket to the 2028 Olympics, a priority after missing out on Paris 2024 qualification.

Both squads are expected to showcase a blend of experience and fresh talent, aiming to keep India’s hockey legacy alive while delivering the results required for Olympic dreams.

The Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium will host the opening matches, marking the start of what could become a defining chapter for Indian hockey on the Asian continent.