Hockey Jharkhand Clinches Third Straight Title at National Championship

Hockey Jharkhand Triumphs Again

Rajgir (Bihar) [India], April 13: Hockey Jharkhand has claimed their third consecutive championship at the 16th Hockey India Sub Junior Women’s National Championship 2026, edging out Hockey Madhya Pradesh with a score of 2-1 in the final match.

Sandeepa Kumari stood out as a key player for Jharkhand, finishing the tournament as the leading scorer with five goals, as reported in a recent press release.

Inspired by her sister, Sangita Kumari, who plays for the Indian Women’s Hockey Team, Sandeepa took up hockey in 2021.

Reflecting on her sister's guidance, Sandeepa shared, “Before the match, she advised me to play passionately, maintain focus, and trust my skills. She always encourages me to believe in myself, especially under pressure, and to aim for scoring goals for the team.”

Emphasizing the significance of the tournament, which is backed by Anandana, the Coca-Cola India Foundation, Sandeepa remarked, “This competition serves as a vital platform for young athletes like us. It allows us to display our talents and develop in the sport. I am grateful to the Anandana Foundation for their unwavering support of women’s hockey, which inspires players like us to excel and set higher goals.”

Discussing the team’s preparation, Sandeepa noted, “We dedicated 15 days to rigorous training before the tournament. Our goal was clear: we aimed to reclaim the championship, and we gave it our all.”

On her individual performance, she stated, “I have been diligently working on my scoring abilities and converting opportunities. This focus, alongside my coach's guidance, helped me execute my practice during the matches.”

Regarding the final match, she added, “We played with tremendous intensity. Even after conceding a goal, we maintained our belief and continued to push until we secured the victory.”