New Delhi: Carrying the hopes of the nation and a clear mission in mind, the Indian women’s hockey team departed for Hangzhou, China, on Saturday to contest the Women’s Asia Cup, a tournament that doubles as a gateway to next year’s FIH Women’s World Cup.
Skipper Salima Tete underlined the team’s single-minded focus ahead of departure. “This tournament is a really good opportunity for us to secure our spot for the World Cup, and we are focusing on that,” she said, making it clear that the path to the global stage runs through a title triumph in Asia.
India’s task is straightforward yet demanding: only the winner of the Asia Cup earns a direct ticket to the World Cup. For Tete and her 20-member squad, that means nothing less than the championship will do. “Our first priority is to top our pool and qualify for the Super Fours. From there, we will take each match step by step and push towards lifting the trophy,” she added.
Placed in Pool B, India will square off against Thailand, Japan, and Singapore in the opening stage. The campaign begins on September 5 against Thailand, followed by a highly-anticipated clash with Japan on September 6, before rounding off pool play against Singapore on September 8. Progression to the Super Fours will be critical in keeping their World Cup hopes alive.
The Indian women’s team has a strong track record at the Asia Cup, having lifted the title in 2004 and again in 2017. In the last edition, however, India had to settle for third place, a result they are determined to improve upon. With a blend of experience and rising talent, the team believes it has what it takes to reclaim continental supremacy.
For Salima Tete and her teammates, the Asia Cup is not just another tournament it is a defining test of their resilience, skill, and hunger to compete on the world’s biggest stage. As they step onto Chinese soil, the team knows that every pass, every save, and every goal will count toward one ultimate dream: a place in the 2026 Women’s Hockey World Cup.