New Delhi, 25 March 2026: Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday honored the Indian men’s and women’s lacrosse teams after their gold medal-winning performance at the Asian Lacrosse Games in Riyadh, and urged them to continue working hard and aim to create history by qualifying for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Interacting with the athletes, the Hon’ble Minister stressed the importance of determination, exposure and consistent efforts in emerging sports like lacrosse. “Lacrosse is the next big game for India. This was your first big international exposure and you have already brought home medals. Now the focus should be on working harder, getting more exposure and making the country proud by aiming for qualification at LA 2028,” Mandaviya said.
He added that the government will continue to support athletes through initiatives such as Khelo India, but stressed that passion and determination are key. India had performed brilliantly in the Asian Lacrosse Games held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this February, winning gold medals in both men’s and women’s events in the Sixes format. The Indian men and women defeated Iraq and Pakistan respectively in their final matches.
The Indian women’s lacrosse team only began its international career in 2024, while the men’s team followed in 2025, which makes this success all the more remarkable. A special feature of India’s victory was the diverse representation from across the country, with athletes from various states including Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Haryana, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Assam, Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh.
The Asian Lacrosse Games, Los Angeles, organized under the Asia-Pacific Lacrosse Union, is part of a broader effort to develop competitive pathways in the region ahead of the sport’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympics. India’s next major commitments include the 3rd Asian Lacrosse Games in Chengdu, China in April and the Asia-Pacific Sixes Lacrosse Championship in Australia this October, which will serve as qualification pathways for LA 2028.
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