India’s Hockey Heroes to Get ₹25,000 Monthly Boost: MOC Steps Up for National Teams

Mission Olympic Cell finally gives 80 senior hockey players a financial cushion — just ahead of India’s Pro League face-off against Belgium

Anand Yadav June 20, 2025Last Updated: June 20, 2025

14,979 3 minutes read

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Reviewed & Published by HH Sports Desk

New Delhi, June 20: Finally, a big win off the pitch! For 80 of India’s best hockey warriors — men and women grinding it out for the tricolour — the Mission Olympic Cell just delivered something rare: respect in rupees.

At their 156th meeting, the MOC signed off on a ₹25,000 monthly pocket allowance for the senior national hockey teams, marking the first time these players will get a regular financial buffer under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). It’s not flashy, but it’s meaningful. It says: we see your effort, we back your sweat.

The Grind Behind the Glory

This isn’t just about money. This is about backing the players who bleed on turf fields from Bhubaneswar to Breda. It’s about investing in that 65th-minute sprint, that desperate block, that stickwork in the dying seconds. And sure, we’re proud of the Tokyo 2020 bronze, still buzzing from that Hangzhou 2023 gold, and forever haunted (in a good way) by that Paris 2024 medal run. But this is for the off-season — the months with no spotlight, when only muscle memory and resolve keep the dream alive.

Hockey India will handle the paperwork — submit names, ensure disbursals, keep things rolling with Sports Authority of India (SAI). The allowance isn’t for the core group (they get ₹50,000); it’s for the fighters coming up, holding the line, hungry to be next. These are the unsung names in the camp, still diving in practice even when no cameras are on.

Under the Lights: Belgium Awaits

And now, back to the action — because this couldn’t come at a better time. India vs. Belgium, back-to-back. June 21 and 22, double-header drama. And let’s not sugarcoat it — the Indian men’s team is hurting. Six straight losses. Confidence? Wobbling. Defense? Patchy. Attacks? Slick but not clinical.

They’re eighth in the Pro League standings, dragging their boots after a brutal European leg. But the fire isn’t out. It just needs a spark.

And who better than Belgium, the team that has tormented and tested India in equal measure. They beat Spain 6–3 last outing — ruthless, calculated, cold-blooded. But India has history here. When these boys click, when the midfield syncs, when the penalty corners land… we’ve seen magic.

Time for Heart, Not Just Skill

Vice-captain Hardik Singh said it best: “It hurts more when you play well but don’t convert.” That sting? That’s what turns average teams into angry, hungry beasts. That’s what turns June fixtures into firestorms.

And don’t sleep on the women’s team either. Salima Tete and crew have faced the world’s best — toe-to-toe with Argentina, tight matches with Australia. They’ve got grit and swagger. They’ve also got a shot to steal the spotlight.

Beyond Turf: Real Impact, Real Support

This allowance? It might not change tactics or convert short corners, but it changes the mood. It says: “You matter. You’re not forgotten.” For a sport that’s given India some of its greatest Olympic moments, that kind of backing was overdue.

Back in the MOC boardroom, it wasn’t just hockey on the agenda. Seven compound archers were inducted into the TOPS Core group — a nod to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, where this bow style finally gets its Olympic debut. Names like Ojas Pravin Deotale and Jyothi Surekha Vennam now carry not just bows, but bigger expectations.

But for now, all eyes are on Antwerp.

Can They Bounce Back?

Belgium looms. Two days. Two chances. No miracles needed — just old-school Indian hockey: fast feet, full hearts, nothing held back. The kind of hockey that makes you punch the air, scream at your screen, and cry when it’s over.

And now, with a little more fuel in the tank — both emotional and financial — there’s no reason not to believe.

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Author Profile

Anand Yadav

Reporting Fellow at Hindustan Herald

Anand Yadav is a Reporting Fellow at Hindustan Herald, with a daily focus on delivering engaging sports news and analysis. Currently studying at Lucknow University, Anand is passionate about sports journalism and committed to providing well-researched insights into game dynamics, player performances, and the broader impact of sports. He consistently strives to keep our audience informed and entertained with his coverage.