India’s men claim gold over Pakistan in Youth Hockey5s, women settle for silver against China – both teams book a spot at the World Cup

Muscat, July 26 — The atmosphere in the indoor arena was electric as the Indian sub‑junior men’s Hockey5s team took on their long‑time rivals, Pakistan. A crisp early strike from Romit Pal in the fifth minute set the tone, and the game never really looked back.

Captain Ketan Kushwaha doubled the lead just after the break (12′) and, before anyone could catch their breath, Shahrukh Ali added a third (13′). Pakistan managed a consolation goal through Muhammad Usman (16′), but the Indian defence held firm, sealing a 3‑1 victory and the gold medal.

Beyond the silverware, the win guarantees India a place at the inaugural FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup. Pakistan, as the runner‑up, also booked its ticket, making the final a dual‑qualification showdown.

On the women’s side, the story was a touch different. China stormed ahead early, netting three quick goals – Tongtong Lu (1′), Kexin Tang (5′) and Jiaxin Guo (6′). India’s Nousheen Naz pulled one back after the break (13′), and Pushpa Manjhi added another (20′), but Chen Ge restored China’s three‑goal cushion (19′). The final whistle read 4‑2 in favour of the Chinese, handing India the silver medal and, crucially, a World Cup berth.

Hockey India celebrated both squads with cash incentives. Each member of the men’s gold‑medal team will receive Rs 2 lakh, while the supporting staff get Rs 1 lakh each. The women’s silver‑medal players are set to earn Rs 1 lakh each, with Rs 50,000 allotted to their staff.

These performances underline a promising future for Indian youth hockey. The boys went unbeaten throughout the tournament, topping the Elite Pool, and the girls proved they can bounce back even after a heavy first‑half setback. Both teams now set their sights on the global stage, where the world will be watching.