Published: August 9, 2026 at 12:20 pm
The stage is set for another major chapter in Indian hockey as Pune hosts the 16th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship 2026 at the Major Dhyanchand Hockey Stadium, Nehru Nagar-Pimpri, from August 12 to 23.
A total of 30 teams, divided into three divisions, will compete for national honours in the 12-day championship hosted by Hockey Maharashtra with the support of the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).
The tournament will culminate with the Division ‘A’ final on August 23, with promotion and relegation adding further significance to the competition.
Division ‘A’ has 12 teams split into four pools. Pool A features Hockey Jharkhand, Hockey Punjab and Hockey Chandigarh, while Pool B comprises Hockey Haryana, Hockey Association of Odisha and Hockey Bengal. Host Hockey Maharashtra has been drawn in Pool C alongside Hockey Uttar Pradesh and Manipur Hockey. Pool D comprises Chhattisgarh Hockey, Hockey Madhya Pradesh and Hockey Himachal.
The top two teams from each pool will qualify for the quarterfinals on August 20, followed by the semifinals on August 21. The third-place play-off and final will be played on August 23. The bottom two teams in Division ‘A’ will be relegated to Division ‘B’.
Division ‘B’ has 10 teams, with the top two earning promotion to Division ‘A’ and the bottom two dropping to Division ‘C’. Division ‘C’, featuring eight teams, will similarly see its top two sides promoted to Division ‘B’.
Pool matches will be played on a league basis, with three points for a win and one for a draw. Classification matches in Division ‘A’ requiring a winner will be decided through shootouts in accordance with FIH Tournament Regulations.
“Hosting a championship of this stature is not only an honour for Maharashtra but also a responsibility towards the future of Indian hockey. Our objective is to provide these young players with the best possible platform, facilities and competitive environment,” said Krishna Prakash, executive chairman, organising committee.
“Pimpri Chinchwad has repeatedly demonstrated its commitment to hockey, and we are proud that this stadium continues to welcome the best young talent from across the country. I am confident that this championship will inspire more youngsters to take up hockey and that some of the players we see here will go on to wear the Indian jersey.”
Junior Women Nationals important pathway: Manish
“The Junior Women National Championship is an important part of the pathway for developing India’s future international players,” said Manish Anand, general secretary, Hockey Maharashtra.
“With 30 teams competing across three divisions, the tournament offers players an opportunity not only to compete for national honours but also to gain valuable experience at a high level. Hockey Maharashtra is committed to strengthening the women’s game and creating opportunities for young players. We hope this championship will help identify several talented players who can progress to the next level.”
“Hockey Maharashtra is proud to bring another Hockey India National Championship to Pimpri Chinchwad. We have seen this city produce and nurture players who have gone on to represent India, and we hope this tournament will uncover the next Rutuja Pisal, Sanika Mane or Tanushree Kadu. Our aim is to create an environment where talent can flourish and where new champions and new stars can emerge,” said Manoj Bhore, organising secretary, associate vice president, Hockey India and vice president, Maharashtra Olympic Association.
The championship also marks another milestone in Hockey Maharashtra’s long association with Hockey India. It will be the 12th Hockey India National Championship hosted by Hockey Maharashtra during its 16-year association with the national federation, and the 3rd National Championship staged at the Major Dhyanchand Hockey Stadium, Nehru Nagar-Pimpri. The journey began in 2011 with the Junior Men’s National Championship at Balewadi.
Maharashtra contribution to hockey has grown significantly
Maharashtra’s contribution to Indian hockey has grown significantly in recent years. Rutuja Dadaso Pisal has earned selection for India’s Asian Games and World Cup campaigns, while junior players Sanika Mane and Tanushree Kadu have been selected for India’s junior assignment in China. On the men’s side, Suraj Karkera has been selected for the Asian Games and World Cup, Aditya Lalage for the World Cup and Arjun Hargude for the Junior Asia Cup.
Mayor Ravi Landge, chairman of the organising committee, appealed to sports lovers to support the young players. “We invite the citizens of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad to come to the stadium and witness these future stars in action. These players represent the next generation of Indian hockey, and the encouragement they receive here can make a lasting difference. We hope Pune sees the birth of new champions and new stars,” he said.
Also present were Kailash Kute, co-chairman, organising committee and chairman, sports committee, PCMC; Abhishek Barne, co-chairman, organising committee and standing committee chairman, PCMC; Pankaj Patil, deputy commissioner, sports, PCMC; Olympian Vikram Pillay, co-convenor; and other officials.
The event is being supported by SBI, the presenting sponsors, powered by UBI, Emcure, as official partners, Bisleri, the hydration partner and Suhana Masale and Aswani Associates as support partners.
