Bhopal, May 11: The India vs Australia Under-18 hockey series is set to commence in Bhopal, organized by the Sports and Youth Welfare Department of Madhya Pradesh. Both Indian and Australian junior teams arrived in the capital on Monday. Players and coaching staff were warmly welcomed at Raja Bhoj Airport by officials from the Sports and Youth Welfare Department, who wished them well in traditional fashion.
This international hockey series will take place from May 15 to May 20 at the Udhav Das Mehta (Bhai Ji) Central Center in Bhopal. The series will feature both men’s and women’s Under-18 teams from India and Australia. This competition is considered crucial for preparing for the upcoming Asia Cup, providing young players with valuable international experience.
Men’s matches are scheduled for May 15, 17, 18, and 20, while women’s matches will also occur on the same dates. All games will be held at the Udhav Das Mehta (Bhai Ji) Central Center in Bhopal.
Ten players from the Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy have been selected for the Indian team. The men’s team includes Ayush Rajak, Ansh Bahutra, Karan Gautam, Avi Manikpuri, Siddharth Ben, and Ghazi Khan. The women’s team will be represented by Sneha Dawade, Mahak Parihar, Nami Geetashree, and Naushin Naz. The players are particularly excited about competing on home turf.
Bhopal’s successful hosting of national and international sports events has solidified Madhya Pradesh’s reputation as a major sports hub in the country. Thanks to modern sports facilities, excellent training programs, and sports academies, athletes from the state are consistently making their mark on national teams.
Madhya Pradesh’s Minister of Cooperation, Sports, and Youth Welfare, Vishwas Kailash Sarang, extended his best wishes to all players and coaches, stating that this series is a matter of pride for the state. He emphasized that the Madhya Pradesh government is continuously working to provide world-class facilities for athletes, and such events will inspire young players to perform better on international platforms.
The U-18 Asia Cup 2026 will be held later this month in Kakamigahara, Japan. According to the Hockey India and International Hockey Federation (FIH) calendar, this tournament will feature Asia’s top junior teams and is considered a vital platform for young players aspiring to reach senior levels.
My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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