Neha Goyal Makes Stunning Asian Games Gold Revelation At NDTV World Summit 2026
Indian hockey player Neha Goyal at NDTV World Summit 2026.© NDTV
The Indian women's hockey team defeated China 1-0 at Aichi-Nagoya earlier this month to win their first Asian Games gold medal in 44 years. The victory also helped India secure a direct berth for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Speaking weeks after the triumph, Neha Goyal, a midfielder in India's gold medal-winning squad, revealed that she played the entire tournament with an injury. Neha said that she suffered a Grade 2 ligament tear in her right hand and played through the pain before returning to India and realising the severity of the injury.
"I suffered the injury in the first match of the World Cup. I didn't realise it and played the entire tournament as well as the Asian Games despite being in pain. I took medication, but when I got an MRI done after returning to India, I found out that I had a Grade 2 ligament tear and had also undergone PRP," said Neha Goyal.
"The team and the nation come first for me. Anybody can endure such minor injuries and pain," she added.
In the final vs China, Lalremsiami scored the all-important winning goal for India with a superb tomahawk in the 10th minute. The Indians were at their best in defence as they thwarted relentless Chinese attacks thereafter, including a penalty stroke save by veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia. With the victory, India ended a 44-year wait for their second Asian Games gold medal.
Veteran goalkeeper Savita was also present at the NDTV World Summit 2026. With Olympic qualification already secured, she revealed that the team's focus has now shifted to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The Indian women's team has never won an Olympic medal. Their best finish remains fourth place, achieved at the 1980 Moscow Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Indian women's team failed to qualify.
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