New Delhi, March 25: Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya felicitated the Indian men’s and women’s lacrosse teams after their gold medal-winning performances at the Asian Lacrosse Games in Riyadh.
The minister encouraged the athletes to continue their strong momentum and focus on achieving LA 2028 Olympics qualification, marking a historic milestone for Indian lacrosse.
Focus on LA 2028 Olympics Qualification
During his interaction with the players, Mandaviya highlighted the importance of determination, international exposure, and consistent effort in developing emerging sports like lacrosse.
“Lacrosse is an upcoming big sport for India. This was your first major international exposure and you have already brought home medals. Now the focus should be on working harder, gaining more exposure and making the country proud by aiming for qualification at LA 2028,” he said.
He further added that government initiatives such as Khelo India will continue to support athletes, but emphasized that passion and perseverance are essential for long-term success.
India’s Dominance at Asian Lacrosse Games
India delivered an outstanding performance at the Asian Lacrosse Games held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, securing gold medals in both the men’s and women’s Sixes format.
The Indian men’s team defeated Iraq, while the women’s team triumphed over Pakistan in their respective finals.
Remarkable Rise of Indian Lacrosse
The success is even more impressive considering the recent formation of both teams. The women’s team made its international debut in 2024, followed by the men’s team in 2025.
The squads featured players from across India, including Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Haryana, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Assam, Jammu & Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh.
Road Ahead to LA 2028
The Asian Lacrosse Games, organized under the Asia-Pacific Lacrosse Union, are part of a broader effort to build competitive pathways ahead of the sport’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
India’s upcoming tournaments include the 3rd Asian Lacrosse Games in Chengdu, China, in April, and the Asia-Pacific Sixes Lacrosse Championships in Australia this October. These events will play a crucial role in the LA 2028 Olympics qualification journey.