Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has said that the increasing representation of players from the state in the Indian hockey team is a matter of great pride and a significant achievement. He was interacting with medal-winning players of the Under-18 Hockey Asia Cup 2026, who met him at his residence in Bhopal.
The tournament was held in Kakamegahara, Japan from May 29 to June 6, 2026, where Indian teams delivered an outstanding performance across categories.
MP Players Shine in Under-18 Hockey Asia Cup
CM Mohan Yadav congratulated the players for their exceptional performance and said Madhya Pradesh will continue to encourage sports development and athletes.
Key achievements include:
- MP players contributed to 6 gold medals in the men’s category
- MP women players secured 4 bronze medals
- Strong performances from players of Bhopal, Jabalpur, Narmadapuram, Seoni, and Barwani districts
The Chief Minister noted that many of these athletes come from modest backgrounds and have achieved success through talent and dedication.
MP Emerging as a Strong Hockey Hub
The Chief Minister said Madhya Pradesh, once known for producing Olympian hockey players, is now regaining its strong position in national and international hockey.
He added that the state is steadily moving towards becoming a leading hockey centre, comparable to other strong sports states in India.
Outstanding Individual Performances Recognized
Several players from Madhya Pradesh earned individual accolades in the tournament:
- Nausheen Naz (Gwalior Hockey Academy) – Top Scorer with 12 goals
- Ayush Rajak (Bhopal State Hockey Academy) – Best Goalkeeper Award
These performances highlighted the growing talent pool in the state’s sports academies.
Government Announces Cash Incentives for Players
The Madhya Pradesh government has also announced financial incentives for medal-winning players:
- ₹3 lakh per player for gold medal winners (boys category)
- ₹1 lakh per player for bronze medal winners (girls category)
The Chief Minister said the government remains fully committed to supporting athletes across all sports disciplines.
Role of Coaches and Sports Academies
Sports Minister Vishwas Kailash Sarang highlighted the role of coaches, especially Samir Dada, in training and developing young talent for international competitions.
He said structured coaching and academy training played a key role in the team’s success.
MP Hockey Academies Produce National-Level Talent
Players from state hockey academies made a strong contribution:
- 6 male players from Bhopal State Hockey Academy won gold
- 4 female players from Gwalior State Hockey Academy won bronze
The government stated that structured training facilities are helping athletes perform at the highest level.
Interaction and Recognition Ceremony
CM Mohan Yadav met the medal-winning players, interacted with them, and also took a group photograph. Senior officials from the Sports and Youth Welfare Department, including Commissioner Sanjeev Kumar Singh, were present at the event.
The Under-18 Hockey Asia Cup success has highlighted Madhya Pradesh’s growing dominance in Indian hockey. With strong institutional support, financial incentives, and world-class training facilities, the state is positioning itself as a major contributor to India’s future in international hockey.
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