Exciting 16th Hockey India Senior Men's National Championship Kicks Off in Jhansi
Overview of the Championship
The 16th edition of the Hockey India Senior Men's National Championship is set to commence on October 10 in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, featuring 29 teams competing across three divisions. The tournament will run until October 21, culminating in the Division 'A' final on the last day.
Previous Champions and Format
In the last championship, Hockey Punjab emerged victorious, defeating Hockey Madhya Pradesh with a score of 4-1 in the Division 'A' final. Uttar Pradesh Hockey claimed third place by overcoming Manipur Hockey 5-1 in the playoff.
This year's tournament will include Division 'A', 'B', and 'C', with teams categorized based on their performance in the 2025 championship. This setup aims to provide a competitive environment for teams nationwide to display their skills and vie for national recognition.
Division 'A' Team Breakdown
Division 'A' consists of 12 teams organized into four pools of three. Pool A features Hockey Punjab, Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu, and Hockey Bengal. Pool B includes Hockey Madhya Pradesh, Hockey Maharashtra, and Le Puducherry Hockey. Pool C has Uttar Pradesh Hockey, Hockey Karnataka, and Hockey Chandigarh, while Pool D comprises Manipur Hockey, Hockey Haryana, and Delhi Hockey.
Match Schedule and Progression
The tournament will kick off with pool matches, followed by Quarter-Finals on October 18, where the top two teams from each pool will advance to the knockout rounds. The Semi-Finals are scheduled for October 19, leading up to the third-place match and the Final on October 21.
Divisions 'B' and 'C' Overview
Division 'B' will feature 10 teams split into two pools. Pool A includes Hockey Association of Odisha, Assam Hockey, Kerala Hockey, Hockey Uttarakhand, and Chhattisgarh Hockey. Pool B consists of Hockey Jharkhand, Telangana Hockey, Goans Hockey, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu Hockey, and Hockey Arunachal.
Division 'C' will have seven teams divided into two pools, with Pool A featuring Hockey Mizoram, Hockey Himachal, and Hockey Jammu & Kashmir, while Pool B includes Hockey Andhra Pradesh, Hockey Rajasthan, Bihar (BSSA), and Hockey Gujarat.
Anticipation for the Championship
Matches for Divisions 'B' and 'C' will commence on October 10, as teams aim to start their campaigns on a high note. Division 'A' matches will begin on October 14, promising thrilling encounters as teams strive to secure their spots in the knockout phase.
The 16th Hockey India Senior Men's National Championship is poised to deliver an exhilarating two weeks of domestic hockey in Jhansi, with teams eager to leave their mark and compete for the coveted titles.
Event Details
The championship will take place in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, from October 10 to October 21.