At 25, Indian Army goalkeeper Senthamizh Arasu has not given up on his dream of playing for the senior Indian hockey team. The native of Arcot town in Vellore, who won bronze with the Junior India team at the 2017 Sultan of Johor Cup, is still waiting for an opportunity to prove himself at the highest level.

“I keep playing, trying to give my best at all National-level tournaments. I’m waiting, working hard and practising every day,” he said on the sidelines of the 97th All-India MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup hockey tournament here on Friday.

“I am ready for the opportunity whenever it comes. Even an opportunity for the National team trials would do. I’m only 25, I still have a lot to do.”

Arasu, whose heroics in the penalty shootout against Karnataka helped Tamil Nadu win bronze at the 2023 senior Nationals, said he learnt a great deal from former Ireland goalkeeper David Harte at the Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons camp in HIL.

“I have watched David Harte since childhood, and learnt a lot from him in HIL. He taught me about quick reactions and, more importantly, the mindset. When we concede a goal, we sometimes dwell on it. He taught me that the team keeps playing and we must be ready for the next ball,” he said.

A regular at the Murugappa tournament, Arasu is determined to overcome a familiar stumbling block.

“We have lost in the semifinals for three consecutive years. This is my fourth season, and we will see what happens this time. We are ready,” he said, hoping the tournament would bring him closer to his long-cherished India dream.

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.