New Delhi : Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, on Wednesday felicitated the Indian men’s and women’s lacrosse teams for their outstanding gold medal victories at the Asian Lacrosse Games in Riyadh, and encouraged them to set their sights on qualifying for the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Interacting with the athletes, the Minister highlighted the growing potential of lacrosse in India and stressed the importance of consistent effort, exposure, and determination. He noted that while the teams have already made a strong mark in their first major international outing, the focus should now be on sustained improvement and global competitiveness.
Reaffirming government support through initiatives like Khelo India, he emphasised that dedication and perseverance remain crucial for success in emerging sports.
India delivered a dominant performance at the Asian Lacrosse Games held in Riyadh, clinching gold in both men’s and women’s Sixes events by defeating Iraq and Pakistan, respectively.
The achievement is particularly notable as the Indian women’s team made its international debut in 2024, followed by the men’s team in 2025. The squads featured players from across the country, reflecting wide regional participation.
Organised by the Asia-Pacific Lacrosse Union, the tournament is part of preparations for lacrosse’s inclusion in the Los Angeles Olympics. India’s upcoming engagements include the 3rd Asian Lacrosse Games in Chengdu in April and the Asia-Pacific Sixes Lacrosse Championships in Australia in October, both crucial for Olympic qualification.