Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday honoured the Indian men’s hockey team, their chief coach, assistant coaches, and support staff for winning the Hero Asia Cup 2025, held in Rajgir earlier this month.
At a felicitation ceremony at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Nitish presented each player with a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh and the support staff with Rs 5 lakh each. A symbolic cheque of Rs 2.5 crore was handed to Indian team captain Harmanpreet Singh for distribution among the squad and staff. The Chief Minister also posed for a group photograph with the team.
Congratulating the side, Nitish praised their victory and wished them a “bright future”, saying Bihar was proud to host the tournament and support hockey at both the men’s and women’s levels.
आज मुख्यमंत्री सचिवालय स्थित ‘संवाद’ में बिहार के राजगीर में पहली बार आयोजित हीरो एशिया कप 2025 में विजेता रही भारतीय हॉकी टीम के खिलाड़ियों एवं सहयोगी स्टाफ के उत्साहवर्द्धन हेतु सम्मान समारोह का आयोजन किया गया। इस अवसर पर हीरो एशिया कप 2025 की विजेता भारतीय टीम के प्रत्येक… pic.twitter.com/rsIgkhj0al
— Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) September 19, 2025
The Hero Asia Cup, staged at the State Sports Academy-cum-Bihar Sports University’s hockey stadium in Rajgir from August 29 to September 7, saw eight teams compete: India, South Korea, China, Japan, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Chinese Taipei, and Bangladesh. The tournament’s logo and mascot had been launched in Patna by Nitish on August 17, with the Chief Minister inaugurating the event in Rajgir on August 29.
India emerged champions by defeating South Korea in the final. Immediately after the win, Nitish announced Rs 10 lakh each for 20 players and Rs 5 lakh each for 10 support staff. Earlier, he had also honoured the Indian women’s hockey team following their Asia Cup victory in Rajgir.
During the event, Hockey India General Secretary Bhola Nath Singh presented Nitish with a memento. Harmanpreet Singh, receiving the symbolic cheque, thanked the Chief Minister, saying: “We have felt the passion the people of Bihar have for hockey. Under your leadership, Bihar has seen significant changes, and it is progressing. You have taken numerous initiatives to inspire sports and athletes, and they are being praised everywhere.”
The programme concluded with the screening of a documentary film showcasing the successful organisation of the Hero Asia Cup 2025.
