14th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship Kicks Off in Ranchi

The 14th edition of the Hockey India Junior Women National Championship 2024 has commenced in Ranchi with 26 teams vying for the title. Divided into eight pools, the top teams will advance to the semi-finals and finals. The tournament aims to nurture young hockey talents.

The 14th edition of the Hockey India Junior Women National Championship 2024 has officially commenced at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh AstroTurf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi, Jharkhand. A total of 26 teams are set to compete, divided into eight pools, with the ultimate goal of lifting the championship trophy.

The pools are as follows: Pool A includes Hockey Madhya Pradesh, Hockey Uttarakhand, and Kerala Hockey; Pool B features Hockey Jharkhand, Hockey Rajasthan, and the Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu. Pool C consists of Assam Hockey, Hockey Haryana, and Manipur Hockey, while Pool D comprises Chhattisgarh Hockey, Delhi Hockey, and Le Puducherry Hockey.

Pool E includes the Hockey Association of Odisha, Hockey Bengal, and Hockey Bihar; Pool F has Hockey Andhra Pradesh, Hockey Jammu & Kashmir, and Hockey Punjab. Pool G consists of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu Hockey, Hockey Arunachal, Hockey Chandigarh, and Hockey Maharashtra, and Pool H features Hockey Gujarat, Hockey Himachal, Hockey Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh Hockey.

The quarter-finals are scheduled for October 7, followed by the semi-finals on October 9. The final will determine the champion, and the losing semi-finalist teams will play for the Bronze Medal on October 10. The opening day's matches include clashes between Hockey Punjab and Hockey Jammu & Kashmir in Pool F, and Hockey Maharashtra and Hockey Chandigarh against Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu and Hockey Arunachal respectively in Pool G. Uttar Pradesh Hockey will compete against Hockey Gujarat in Pool H, and Hockey Jharkhand will face Hockey Rajasthan in Pool B.

Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey emphasized the importance of developing grassroots talent through this championship. "We are extremely determined to develop grassroots hockey talent, and platforms like the Junior Women National Championship help young athletes showcase their skills. This tournament provides vital experience for their future sporting careers," he stated. Secretary General of Hockey India Bhola Nath Singh echoed these views, highlighting that the championship serves as a crucial platform for identifying and nurturing young talent. "I have no doubts about the tournament's success, and my best wishes are with all the young players participating," he added.

(With inputs from agencies.)