Hockey India Senior Men Inter-Department National Championship 2026 Kicks Off in Hyderabad
Championship Overview
The 6th edition of the Hockey India Senior Men Inter-Department National Championship is set to commence on Friday in Hyderabad. This esteemed tournament will feature 20 departmental teams from across India competing for the championship title, which will culminate in the final match on September 14, as announced by Hockey India.
Team Divisions
The teams are organized into four distinct pools:
- Pool A: Petroleum Sports Promotion Board, Sashastra Seema Bal, Central Secretariat, I.T.B.P. Central Hockey Team, Punjab National Bank.
- Pool B: Comptroller & Auditor General of India, Defence Accounts Sports Control Board, Sports Authority of India, Central Reserve Police Force, Punjab & Sind Bank.
- Pool C: Services Sports Control Board, Steel Plant Sports Board, All India Police Sports Control Board, Central Board of Direct Taxes, Union Bank of India.
- Pool D: Food Corporation of India, Tamil Nadu Police, Railway Sports Promotion Board, Canara Bank, Central Industrial Security Force.
Exciting Matches on Opening Day
The tournament will kick off with an action-packed opening day featuring several matches:
- Comptroller & Auditor General of India vs. Central Reserve Police Force (Pool B).
- Sports Authority of India vs. Defence Accounts Sports Control Board (Pool B).
- Defending champions Petroleum Sports Promotion Board vs. Sashastra Seema Bal (Pool A).
- Central Secretariat vs. I.T.B.P. Central Hockey Team (Pool A).
- Services Sports Control Board vs. Steel Plant Sports Board (Pool C).
- All India Police Sports Control Board vs. Union Bank of India (Pool C).
- Food Corporation of India vs. Tamil Nadu Police (Pool D).
- Railway Sports Promotion Board vs. Canara Bank (Pool D).
Insights from Hockey India Leadership
Ahead of the championship, Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey remarked, "The Hockey India Senior Men Inter-Department National Championship serves as a vital platform for players to demonstrate their skills at a high level. The participation of 20 teams this year signifies the increasing strength and depth of hockey across various departments. I am optimistic that the tournament in Hyderabad will showcase thrilling and competitive hockey, providing players with a chance to advance in their development."
Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh echoed these sentiments, stating, "The Inter-Department National Championship has strengthened with each edition, highlighting the significant role of departments and institutions in Indian hockey. With 20 teams competing this year, we anticipate intense competition throughout the tournament. I wish all teams the best and hope for memorable performances in Hyderabad."
Defending Champions: Petroleum Sports Promotion Board
The Petroleum Sports Promotion Board, the reigning champions, will enter the tournament with confidence after winning the title in the previous edition in 2025. They triumphed over the Comptroller & Auditor General of India with a score of 3-0 in the final held in Jamshedpur, with goals from Sumit Kumar and Sudeep Chirmako in the first half, followed by a late field goal from Yousuf Affan.
In the 2025 edition, the Services Sports Control Board also performed well, securing third place after defeating the Food Corporation of India 3-2 in a shootout following a 1-1 tie in the third/fourth-place match. The Petroleum Sports Promotion Board aims to defend their title in Hyderabad, having also won in 2024, making them a formidable contender alongside other strong departmental teams.
Tournament Schedule
The pool stage will run until September 9, followed by a rest day on September 10. The Quarter-Finals are set for September 11, with the Semi-Finals scheduled for September 13. The championship will conclude with the third/fourth-place match and the final on September 14.