Imphal: Hockey gold medallists Pukhramba Sushila Chanu and Kharibam Bichu Devi from Manipur received a grand reception on Monday upon their arrival at Imphal Airport following the Indian women’s hockey team’s historic win at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Sushila and Bichu were part of the Indian hockey team that won the gold medal, ending a 44-year wait for the top position in the competition. They were warmly welcomed by members of Manipur Hockey, family members, officials from Youth Affairs and Sports (YAS), friends and well-wishers.
Expressing happiness over her daughter’s achievement, Sushila’s mother, Pukhrambam (O) Lata Devi, said the hard work and dedication put in by the team had finally paid off with the Asian Games gold medal.
The team had earlier won silver and bronze medals, but winning gold was a first, she said, as she eagerly waited for her daughter to emerge from the airport exit gate.
Bichu’s mother, Kharibam Ibema, shared the same excitement, saying the emotional support and encouragement she had offered her daughter during difficult moments had finally yielded a positive result.
According to Ibema, at one point, Bichu felt very low and considered giving up hockey. However, as a mother, she offered her support and encouraged her daughter to continue, telling her that success comes after overcoming hardships and challenges.
Sushila Chanu, who hails from Hijam Dewan Leikai in Thangmeiband, Imphal West, said the Asian Games gold was achieved through the team’s collective efforts and the continued support of her family, as well as people from the state and the country.
Sushila also urged the state’s youth not to give up on their dreams and goals despite hardships in life, saying she continued to play and pursue her dreams despite undergoing surgery on three occasions.
She also said the state needs better infrastructure for hockey to support and encourage young athletes.
Apart from Khuman Lampak Stadium and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in Imphal, the number of grounds available for playing hockey in the state is very limited. If there were more hockey grounds, the state would have more players, she said.
Bichu Devi, a resident of Charangpat Maning Leikai in Thoubal district, said the team underwent about six months of intensive and rigorous training ahead of the Asian Games. With the collective hard work and efforts of the team members, India defeated China and qualified for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, which she described as a significant achievement for the team.
Bichu also revealed that during the training period, the team watched recordings of their previous matches to analyse their performance and work on their weaknesses.
She said the team’s focus is now on the Olympics, although the players will participate in several events in the run-up to the Games.
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