Hockey Jharkhand continued its dominance at the grassroots level by clinching the 16th Hockey India sub-junior women’s National championship, marking a third consecutive title (2024, 2025, 2026) and reinforcing its status as one of the strongest junior setups in the country.

Jharkhand has seen significant development in hockey infrastructure, particularly in the construction of astroturfs between 2014 and 2026. 

This infrastructure growth has played a crucial role in nurturing hockey talent across the State. Over the last 16 years, Jharkhand’s structured youth development system has translated into success, particularly in the women’s categories. 

The State has secured an impressive 34 medals in women’s competitions alone, including 10 gold, 11 silver and 13 bronze medals.

Jharkhand’s junior women’s team has amassed 14 medals (five gold, five silver, four bronze), while the sub-junior women’s team has claimed 12 (four gold, five silver, three bronze), including the recent three-peat. 

At the senior level, Jharkhand women have also made their mark, winning eight medals (one gold, one silver, six bronze), including most recent title triumph in 2025.

Simdega district in Jharkhand, particularly, has turned into a nursery of Indian women’s hockey in recent years. The sub-junior national championship saw strong representation from Simdega with the team featuring Sandeepa Kumari, Pushpa Manjhi, Preeti Biluung, Regina Kullu, Saniya Tirkey, and Nipunata Kullu.

Over the decade from 2016 to 2026, Simdega has consistently produced top talent for the Indian women’s Team across senior and junior levels. Notable players who have represented India include current Indian captain Salima Tete, Sangita Kumari, Beauty Dungdung, Deepika Soreng, Mahima Tete, Ropni Kumari, Rajni Kerketta, Nisha Minj, Neeru Kullu, Alka Dungdung, Alpha Kerketta, Sushma Kumari, Sweety Dungdung, and Anjana Dungdung, who was part of the Senior A team for the China tour.

While the women’s programme has been the standout, Hockey Jharkhand has also recorded success on the men’s side, with four medals (one gold, two silver, one Bronze) in the sub-junior men’s National championships.

A 24-member squad for the upcoming home leg of the FIH Pro league was named on Thursday with several youngsters finding place in the Indian men’s hockey team’s season opening competition for the year.

The Rourkela leg is scheduled from February 10-15 with Argentina and Belgium being the other two teams.

While Pawan Malik gets a chance in the goal, defender and drag-flicker Amandeep Lakra has earned a call-up after an impressive outing in the Hockey India League, where he was adjudged the Player of the Tournament.

Also included are 21-year-old Rosan Kujur with his maiden call-up to the senior national squad and Manmeet Singh, both part of the side that won bronze at the recent Junior World Cup.

The squad:

Goalkeepers: Suraj Karkera, Pawan

Defenders: Amit Rohidas, Jarmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Sumit, Sanjay, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Amandeep Lakra

Midfielders: Rajinder Singh, Manmeet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Hardik Singh, Moirangthem Rabichandra Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Rosan Kujur

Forwards: Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Selvam Karthi, Mandeep Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Aditya Arjun Lalage

The ongoing troubles in Hockey India reached up to the sports ministry with HI president Dilip Tirkey and other office-bearers meeting Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday.

Sources close to the development confirmed that Mandaviya sought all details of the happenings in the sport over the last few months, both on and off the field, indicating his concerns. The meeting, lasting close to half hour, also covered the future course of action for hockey in general, with special emphasis on the upcoming Asian Games.

While nothing was official, sources admitted that the minister, while expressing support for Hockey India’s response to the recent incident involving three players — Manpreet Singh, Krishan Bahadur Pathak and Dilpreet Singh — made it clear that he expected the federation to take strong, visible action and ensure there was no repetition. It has also been reliably learnt that the role of coach Craig Fulton, in the entire episode was also discussed.

Hockey India’s decision to drop three players, including veteran midfielder Manpreet Singh, from the list of probables for the upcoming FIH Pro League season stemmed from disciplinary issues during the team’s tour of South Africa in December.

Sources said a serious case of indiscipline surfaced during the tour, following which Manpreet, Dilpreet Singh and goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak were omitted from the probables’ list.

India toured South Africa for a three-Test series from December 2 to 16, losing the series 2-0, with the third match ending in a draw.

“A serious case of indiscipline came to light during the South Africa tour, also involving a fourth player whose name has not been disclosed. The players later apologised for giving their teammate a banned substance, but the decision to exclude them from the upcoming camp was announced during a team meeting,” a team source said.

Hockey India announced the list of probables on Thursday, with the absence of former captain Manpreet raising eyebrows.

The Pro League season will begin next month in Rourkela.

Manpreet had co-captained the Ranchi Royals team to the Hockey India League final, and his performance in the tournament was commendable.

Manpreet, 33, a member of two Olympic bronze medal-winning teams, has failed to make it to the list of probable players for the camp (February 1 to 7) for the first time in 15 years.

He is just one match away from becoming the joint-most capped Indian player with 412 matches, a record currently held by Hockey India’s incumbent president, Dilip Tirkey.

The India leg of the FIH Pro League is scheduled from February 10 to 15 in Rourkela. India will play Argentina in their opening game on February 11.