India’s Water Polo Ambitions: Building a Competitive Team

Water polo, often associated with European dominance, is slowly but steadily gaining traction in India. The Indian Water Polo Federation (IWPF) has been working to develop the sport, particularly at the junior level, with the goal of creating a competitive national team that can perform well at international events.

The 2024 season was a pivotal one for Indian water polo, with the men’s team qualifying for the Asian Water Polo Championships for the first time in a decade. Led by captain Mohit Singh, India put up a valiant fight, eventually finishing in fourth place. While the team missed out on a medal, the performance was a significant improvement over previous years and highlighted the potential of Indian water polo on the Asian stage.

The women’s water polo team, though still in its infancy, has also shown signs of progress. The team finished fifth at the South Asian Games, an encouraging result considering the relative lack of infrastructure and competition opportunities for women in the sport.

To build a stronger future, the IWPF has focused on setting up training centers in cities like Pune, Mumbai, and Bangalore, where young athletes can train under experienced coaches. These centers also host regular competitions, allowing players to gain the necessary match experience to compete at a higher level.

Looking ahead, India’s water polo teams are focusing on the 2026 Asian Games and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. With continued investment in infrastructure and development, there is hope that India can emerge as a competitive force in the sport.