Khaidem Shileima Chanu has been felicitated by Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh after leading the Indian junior women’s hockey team to the 2026 Junior Asia Cup title in China. The Chief Minister honoured the Manipuri hockey player at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat on September 17, recognising her contribution to India’s successful continental campaign.
The felicitation came days after India defeated hosts China 1-0 in the final at Moqi on September 13. The victory helped India retain the title and complete a hat-trick of Junior Women’s Asia Cup championships. The team also remained unbeaten throughout the tournament.
Manipur CM honours hockey captain
During the ceremony, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh congratulated Khaidem Shileima Chanu for bringing recognition to Manipur and India through her international sporting achievement.
The Chief Minister also conveyed his best wishes for her future career. The state government’s recognition followed a major tournament in which the Manipuri midfielder carried the responsibility of leading India against some of Asia’s leading junior teams.
The felicitation also highlights Manipur’s continuing contribution to Indian hockey. Official Sports Authority of India and Khelo India records list Shileima Chanu as a player from Manipur, with her date of birth recorded as April 14, 2006.
Khaidem Shileima Chanu leads India to title
India entered the Junior Asia Cup as defending champions and produced a strong campaign under captain Khaidem Shileima Chanu.
The team began its campaign with a 4-1 win over South Korea. India later defeated Japan 7-0 to secure a place in the knockout stage. In the quarterfinal, the Indian side produced an emphatic 19-0 victory over Pakistan before beating South Korea 5-1 in the semifinal.
The final against China proved much tighter. Sanika Chandrakant Mane scored in the 17th minute to give India the lead. China pressed for an equaliser, but India maintained its defensive organisation and protected the narrow advantage until the final whistle.
The result gave India its third consecutive Women’s Junior Asia Cup title. The victory also secured the team’s qualification for the FIH Junior Women’s Hockey World Cup.
A key moment in the final
While Mane provided the decisive goal, Khaidem Shileima Chanu also came close to scoring before half-time. Her shot on target forced a save from Chinese goalkeeper Xu Mengjiao, according to reports on the final.
India ultimately relied on its collective defensive effort to preserve the 1-0 lead. The team finished the tournament unbeaten after recording three wins and a draw in the Elite Pool, followed by victories in the quarterfinal, semifinal and final.
From national selection to continental captaincy
Shileima’s appointment as captain marked another step in her progression through India’s junior hockey system. Hockey India had earlier named her in the Indian junior women’s squad for the 2026 Junior Asia Cup, with the team heading to Moqi, China, for the August 30 to September 13 tournament.
She had also featured in India’s junior setup before the 2026 campaign. Hockey India included her among the midfielders in the squad for the FIH Women’s Junior Hockey World Cup 2025.
Her leadership role became particularly significant this year as India sought to defend its continental crown. Under coach Tim White, the team completed that task with an unbeaten run and a closely contested final against the hosts.
Recognition after India’s title win
The achievement has also brought financial recognition from Hockey India. After the Junior Asia Cup triumph, Hockey India announced a reward of Rs 3 lakh for each player in the title-winning squad and Rs 1.5 lakh for every member of the support staff.
For Khaidem Shileima Chanu, the Manipur government’s felicitation adds a state-level honour to an already significant international achievement. Her leadership of India’s junior women’s team and the successful defence of the continental title have placed her latest milestone among the recent achievements of Manipuri athletes on the national stage.
The focus now shifts toward the next stage of the team’s development, with India set to compete at the FIH Junior Women’s Hockey World Cup after securing qualification through its Asia Cup victory.
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