Savita Punia appeals to PM Modi, Shah Rukh Khan to save Women's Hockey India League after World Cup success
(Courtesy : Hockey India)
The fifth-place finish is India’s highest finish since 1974
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India goalkeeper and former captain Savita Punia has made a heartfelt public appeal to save the Women’s Hockey India League (WHIL), moments after the Indian women’s hockey team achieved its best World Cup result in 52 years.
India finished fifth at the Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026 after beating Germany 3-1 in their final match. This is India’s best finish since the team came fourth at the very first World Cup in 1974.
During the tournament, India held Olympic silver medallist China, England and Australia to draws, beat South Africa 6-1, and lost only one match in total.
Also Read: HIL under threat: India’s women’s hockey stars make emotional appeal to save Hockey India League
Writing on X, Punia pointed out that several players in the current squad, including Shilpi, Sakshi and Rutuja, came through the Women’s HIL.
She said the league is now struggling to survive because of financial pressure, low earnings from broadcasting and ticket sales, delayed payments, and weak sponsorship support.
“Our women’s hockey team just delivered India’s BEST World Cup finish in 52 years, 5th place, beating Germany 3-1. Best result since the historic 4th-place finish at the very first World Cup in 1974. This story deserves to be more than a headline,” she wrote.
A direct appeal to Prime Minister Modi and others
Punia did not stop there and she spoke directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, writing, “Our women just rewrote hockey history after 52 years. The league that built these players, the Women’s HIL, needs support to survive. A word from you could change its fate.”
She also called on India’s Sports Ministers, saying, “As Sports Ministers, this is squarely in your hands. The players have made their appeal directly from the World Cup. Women’s HIL isn’t just a league, it’s India’s pipeline for the next Rani Rampal, the next Deepika. Please act.”
Related: Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026: No podium finish, but India can be proud of historic campaign
Her appeal reached beyond sports too. She tagged Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, actress Priyanka Chopra, and entrepreneur Ananya Birla, writing, “You’ve championed sport and women’s talent before… A single tweet from you could bring sponsors and visibility back to WHIL.” She made a similar request to Reliance Foundation, pointing to its long support for grassroots sport.
She summed up her message simply, “The math is simple: no league, no talent pool, no next generation, no World Cup medal. Our women got India’s best finish in 52 years WITH a struggling league. Imagine what’s possible if we actually invest in it.”
Punia also thanked current supporters of the league, including JSW’s Parth Jindal, the Delhi Pipers, and Bengal Tigers, and urged more state leaders and organisations to step forward and help protect its future.
What historic milestone did India’s women’s hockey team achieve at the 2026 World Cup?
India finished fifth at the Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026 after beating Germany 3-1, marking their best result in 52 years. This is India’s best finish since the team came fourth at the very first World Cup in 1974.
Why is Savita Punia appealing for support for the Women’s Hockey India League (WHIL)?
Punia says, ‘The WHIL is that platform. It creates opportunities, develops talent and builds the pipeline for future World Cup & Olympic stars. We humbly request your support for WHIL. Let’s ensure the girls coming through today have a league to dream of playing in tomorrow.”
Who has Savita Punia appealed to for support?
She has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sports Ministers Mansukh Mandaviya and Raksha Khadse, several state government leaders, celebrities including Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra, and organisations such as Reliance Foundation to help secure the league’s future.
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Ajay Gandhar has been part of Khel Now since 2023 and has expertise across a wide range of Olympic sports. While his coverage spans the Olympic spectrum, he is passionate about Badminton, Tennis, Football, and Track and Field. Beyond his primary focus areas, Ajay is also an avid kabaddi enthusiast and closely follows the sport.