Indian Junior Hockey Teams Set to Defend Titles at AHF Junior Asia Cup 2026

The Indian junior men's and women's hockey teams are poised to defend their titles at the AHF Junior Asia Cup 2026 in Moqi, China, from September 4 to 13. With extensive preparations, including international exposure tours, both teams aim to start their campaigns on a strong note. The women's team, led by Khaidem Shileima Chanu, seeks a third consecutive title, while the men's team, captained by Anmol Ekka, aims for a record sixth championship. As they face formidable opponents, the teams are eager to showcase their skills and represent India proudly on the continental stage.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 3, 2026, 14:54 IST

Preparation for AHF Junior Asia Cup 2026

The junior men's and women's hockey teams from India are gearing up to defend their titles at the AHF Junior Asia Cup 2026, which will take place in Moqi, China, from September 4 to 13. Both teams come into the tournament with impressive credentials and thorough preparations, aiming to start their title defense successfully, as stated by Hockey India.

Women’s Team Aiming for a Third Consecutive Title

The Indian women's team, which has won the AHF Junior Asia Cup in the last two editions, will be captained by midfielder Khaidem Shileima Chanu. Under the guidance of newly appointed coach Tim White, who took over earlier this year, the team has followed a structured training regimen.

To prepare for the tournament, an extended squad participated in an exposure tour in the United Kingdom, where they engaged in seven competitive matches against teams such as Scotland Senior Women, USA U-21, England U-21, and Belgium U-21.

This rigorous series provided the players with essential international experience and insights into various playing styles. The exposure tour also enhanced the squad's tactical understanding, match readiness, and overall preparation for the AHF Junior Asia Cup 2026.

With a blend of international exposure and consistent training, the Indian team is eager to convert their learnings into strong performances in Moqi.

Coach White mentioned, 'Our first match is against South Korea on Saturday, and we are preparing diligently. The team has adapted well to the cooler weather in Moqi, and we are excited for Match 1.' He added, 'We have trained extensively in Bengaluru over several months, including a UK tour and matches against a combined team. We believe our game is in good shape and we are ready to compete against Asia's best teams. I am confident the girls will represent India proudly.'

India is placed in the Elite Pool and will kick off its campaign against South Korea on September 5, followed by matches against Malaysia on September 6, Japan on September 8, and hosts China on September 9.

Men’s Team Aiming for a Record Sixth Title

The Indian junior men's team enters the AHF Junior Asia Cup as the defending champions, having won the continental title five times, including the last three editions. Defender Anmol Ekka will lead the team, while newly appointed coach Frederic Soyez aims to start his tenure with a championship victory.

The squad has undergone extensive preparations leading up to the tournament, including an exposure tour in Belgium where they faced strong U-21 teams from Austria, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. This tour provided valuable competitive experience and allowed the players to test their tactical and technical skills against high-quality opponents.

Additionally, the team enhanced its match readiness through friendly games against the Malaysian U-21 team in Bengaluru, followed by a three-match series against hosts China in Dalian. These matches provided crucial game time, enabling the players to build combinations and assess their preparations before arriving in Moqi.

Coach Soyez remarked, 'Our progress has been quite positive. The last friendly match against China, which we won 8-2, significantly boosted our confidence as we head into the tournament. We spent a week in Dalian acclimatizing to the conditions in China before arriving in Moqi for our opening match against Indonesia on Saturday.'

He further stated, 'Our main goal for this tournament is to continue progressing, build confidence and consistency, maintain a solid defensive structure, and elevate our performance level with each match.'

India will commence its Pool A campaign against Indonesia on September 5, followed by matches against Japan on September 6, South Korea on September 8, and Chinese Taipei on September 9.

With both Indian teams arriving as defending champions and having completed thorough preparation programs, the AHF Junior Asia Cup 2026 offers a significant opportunity for India's emerging hockey talent to compete at the highest level in Asia and advance their international careers.