Field hockey is India's most decorated Olympic sport: the men's team won eight golds between 1928 and 1980 in the era of Dhyan Chand and bronze at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. The women's team won Commonwealth Games gold in 2002, the Asia Cup in 2004 and 2017, and finished fourth at the 1980 and 2020 Olympics. Hockey India, formed in 2009, governs the game; the Indian Hockey Federation ran it from 1925 until it was dismissed in 2008.
Key facts
- Women's team: Asia Cup champions 2004 and 2017; Commonwealth Games gold 2002; fourth at the 1980 and 2020 Olympics.
- Hockey India (formed 20 May 2009) governs the game; the Indian Hockey Federation ran it from 1925 to 2008.
- Captain Salima Tete; Savita Punia has the most caps (326). (as of 23 Oct 2026)
- Men's team: eight Olympic golds from 1928 to 1980.
Latest
At Aichi-Nagoya 2026 the women beat China 1-0 (Lalremsiami, 10th minute; Savita Punia saved a penalty stroke), ending a 44-year wait since the 1982 Delhi gold; the men beat Malaysia 5-1; both golds carry direct Los Angeles 2028 berths.
Why exams ask about it
The year of the last gold, the scorer, the opponent and the Olympic berth are the questions after every big final.