Hockey Punjab and the Hockey Association of Odisha reinforced their enduring presence in Indian domestic hockey by each winning bronze medals at the 16th Hockey India Sub Junior National Championship 2026.
Hockey Punjab finished third in the men's category, while Odisha secured bronze in the women's competition, according to an official release. These results highlight the consistent success of both associations, marked by frequent podium finishes and the steady development of players at the international level.
Hockey Punjab has accumulated 33 medals across categories, including 14 gold, 6 silver, and 13 bronze. The men's teams have been particularly successful, earning 26 medals, with five golds each at the Senior and Junior Men's levels. The senior men’s team notably won the 15th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship 2025, where Jugraj Singh was the highest goalscorer. Punjab continues to be a core contributor to Indian men’s hockey, led by captain Harmanpreet Singh and key players such as Hardik Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Abhishek, goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak, and defenders Jugraj Singh and Jarmanpreet Singh.
The next generation is emerging strongly, with Manmeet Singh, Arshdeep Singh, and Princedeep Singh advancing from Hockey Punjab's domestic ranks to the Indian junior team, participating in the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025.
Meanwhile, the Hockey Association of Odisha has won a total of 26 medals, including 11 gold, 7 silver, and 8 bronze. Their men's teams have contributed 19 medals, led by standout performances in junior and sub-junior competitions. On the women's side, Odisha has claimed 7 medals consisting of 1 gold, 1 silver, and 5 bronze. The Junior Women’s team earned a bronze medal, while the Sub Junior Women’s team secured one silver and four bronze medals, demonstrating growth and depth in women’s hockey.
Odisha's strength stems from a well-developed grassroots system, supported by academies, advanced infrastructure, and quality coaching. Hockey plays a significant role in the state's identity, further bolstered by hosting major international tournaments in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela at world-class venues. This environment has produced a broad talent pool, including Amit Rohidas, an important figure for India's men's team, and promising dragflicker Amandeep Lakra from Rourkela. Other notable male players include Shilanand Lakra, Sudeep Chirmako, and Nilam Sanjeep Xess.
In women’s hockey, Odisha continues to develop exciting prospects such as Sunelita Toppo, Ajmina Kujur, and Sujata Kujur, indicating a strengthening programme for female players.
Nitin Kohli, President of Hockey Punjab, stated, “Hockey has always been a matter of immense pride for Punjab, and it is wonderful to see our teams consistently finishing on the podium in domestic tournaments. This success is a reflection of the strong culture of Hockey in the state and the hard work put in by our players, coaches and support staff at every level. Punjab has always contributed significantly to Indian hockey, and even today, several players from the state are representing the national team and making the country proud. We remain committed to building on this legacy, and we hope to continue to produce players for India.”
Dilip Tirkey, President of Hockey India and Hockey Association of Odisha, remarked, “Firstly, congratulations to our Sub Junior Women’s team for claiming a podium finish at the National Championship. Hockey is deeply rooted in the culture of Odisha, and the consistent performances of our teams across categories reflect the strength of our grassroots ecosystem. Our academies and coaches have played a vital role in developing young talent, and it is encouraging to see players progress to the highest level and play for India. We will continue to invest in building a strong future for Indian hockey in the state.”