Bihar announces INR 10 lakh each for Indian women's hockey team players

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday announced INR 10 lakh each for the Women's Asian Champions Trophy-winning Indian women's hockey team players in Rajgir.

The Indian team defeated China 1-0, thanks to Deepika's solitary strike, to defend the continental title.

The Indian women's team players and the head coach Harendra Singh will get a cash reward of INR 10 lakh each, while the support staff will get INR 5 lakh each, a statement from the Bihar government stated.

"In a remarkable celebration of the Indian Women’s Hockey Team’s victory in the Bihar Women’s Asian Champions Trophy Rajgir 2024, the Bihar Government has announced a significant cash award. Each player in the squad will receive INR 10 lakhs in recognition of their outstanding performance at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium during the course of the tournament. In addition to this, Chief Coach Harendra Singh was rewarded with INR 10 lakhs, while the rest of the support staff received INR 5 lakhs each," the Bihar government said in a media advisory. 

"The chief minister appreciated the Indian team for its game, particularly during the final match with China. It's a historic win for the Indian women's hockey team in Bihar, where such an event was organised for the first time. It has swelled every Indian's heart with pride. All players of the team demonstrated their skills and played in a very disciplined manner," the Chief Minister's office said in a separate statement.

"This victory is a matter of pride and glory for all Indians. My heartiest congratulations to all team members," the CM said in the statement.

CM Nitish later took to X to write, "The state government will reward all the members of the winning team and head coach with a cash prize of INR 10 lakh each. The support staff of the team will also be rewarded with a cash prize of INR 5 lakh each. My best wishes to the Indian women's team for the future."

Hockey India, meanwhile, declared a reward of INR 3 lakh each for all players and INR 1.5 lakh each for all support staff.