NewKerala.com

India's Lacrosse Double Gold at Asian Games Signals 2028 Olympic Ascent

The Indian men's and women's lacrosse teams achieved a historic double gold medal finish at the Asian Lacrosse Games in Riyadh. The men's team, led by Anudeep Reddy, won its first-ever Asian title with a 9-2 victory over Iraq in the final. The women's team, captained by Sunita, delivered an equally commanding performance, securing gold with a 22-5 win. This success marks a significant step for India in the Lacrosse Sixes format, which will debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

Key Points: India Wins Double Gold in Lacrosse at Asian Games

  • Historic first Asian championship for men's team
  • Dominant 9-2 & 22-5 final victories
  • Lacrosse Sixes is the Olympic format for LA 2028
  • Success highlights growing tactical control and administration
  • Strengthens India's continental position ahead of global stage
2 min read

India's Lacrosse breakthrough: Double gold at Asian Games signals new momentum

Indian men's and women's lacrosse teams clinch historic double gold at Asian Games, boosting momentum for the sport's Olympic return in LA 2028.

"India's double-gold performance... arrives at a critical moment. - Lacrosse Association of India"

New Delhi, February 13

The Indian men's lacrosse sixes team, led by Anudeep Reddy, clinched a historic gold medal, marking India's first-ever Asian championship title in men's lacrosse. The campaign culminated in a dominant 9-2 victory over Iraq in the final, highlighting India's growing tactical control and confidence in the Olympic format, according to a release from the Lacrosse Association of India.

The progress in India's Lacrosse was evident at the Asian Lacrosse Games 2026, held from February 1-5 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where India recorded one of its most successful international outings.

Anudeel Reddy holds a unique place in Indian lacrosse history, having previously served as India's first-ever men's field lacrosse team captain before taking on a leadership role in lacrosse sixes. His experience and exposure to international playing environments contributed to the team's composure and adaptability across matches.

India's success in Riyadh was further strengthened by the women's lacrosse team, led by Sunita, which also secured a gold medal. The women's side delivered a commanding performance in the final, registering a 22-5 win, completing a double-gold finish for India at the Games.

India's Asian campaign was supported by LAI, under the leadership of CEO Tausif Ahmad Lari, with tournament operations and on-ground coordination overseen by Chief Operating Officer Saurabh Vetal. The combined focus on administration, logistics, coaching, and technical preparation allowed athletes to perform with clarity and consistency.

With lacrosse returning to the Olympics through the sixes format in Los Angeles 2028, India's double-gold performance at the Asian level arrives at a critical moment. The results strengthen India's position within the continental structure and highlight the country's growing potential in a sport that values discipline, adaptability, and teamwork.

From a game built around a simple crosse to a modern Olympic discipline, lacrosse continues to evolve--and India's recent success suggests it is beginning to carve out a meaningful place in that global journey.

Internationally, lacrosse is played in three formats. Field lacrosse is the traditional outdoor version, played 10-a-side, emphasising structure, endurance, and tactical systems. Box lacrosse is an indoor, high-contact format played within enclosed arenas, emphasising physicality and close-quarter play. Lacrosse sixes, the newest format, is played with fewer players, shorter matches, and continuous action, making it particularly suited to international tournaments and the Olympic format.

India's international development has so far been driven by field lacrosse and lacrosse sixes, with recent performances marking a clear step forward.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
So proud of our athletes! Especially the women's team with that massive 22-5 win. It shows that with proper support and administration (good job LAI), we can excel in any sport. Let's hope this gets more funding and recognition now.
R
Rohit P
Honestly, I didn't even know India had a lacrosse team until today. Great to see us making waves in a non-traditional sport. The sixes format sounds fast and exciting. Perfect for the Olympics. Future looks bright!
S
Sarah B
This is wonderful news! As someone who follows Olympic sports, it's thrilling to see a new contender emerge. India's discipline and teamwork are clearly paying off. Wishing the teams all the best for the road to LA 2028.
V
Vikram M
A respectful criticism: While this gold is fantastic, the article mentions this is at the *Asian* level. The real test will be against powerhouses like the USA, Canada, and the Iroquois Nationals. We need sustained investment and exposure tours to reach that next level. Don't let this success make us complacent.
K
Karthik V
Bahut badhiya! 🇮🇳 This proves our youth can master any sport if given a chance. The focus on administration and logistics mentioned here is key – often that's where we falter. Hope other sports federations are taking notes from LAI's playbook.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50