Ranchi, August 18: Jharkhand has emerged as a ‘heartland’ for Indian women’s hockey. Players from the state are not only securing spots on the national team but are also advancing the country’s rich hockey legacy. A prime example is Salima Tete, the captain of the Indian women’s hockey team.
Currently, the Indian senior women’s hockey team is participating in the World Cup held in the Netherlands and Belgium. Meanwhile, three districts in Jharkhand—Simdega, Khunti, and Gumla—are quietly nurturing the tradition of hockey.
Jharkhand has made significant contributions to women’s hockey in India. The passion for the sport among local players, coupled with government support through the Sports Authority of India (SAI) talent development programs, has been instrumental. Over 5,000 boys and girls across the state are receiving training through residential and non-residential programs. Jharkhand is establishing itself as one of India’s most productive hockey nurseries.
The state’s relationship with hockey dates back to the early decades of the 20th century. For many tribal communities, the sport has transcended mere entertainment, becoming an integral part of daily life. The roots of Jharkhand’s hockey heritage are linked to Jaipal Singh Munda, the captain of the historic gold medal-winning Indian team at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics. His success has inspired generations of youth from the Chotanagpur plateau.
For decades, icons like Michael Kindo, Silvanus Dung Dung, Manohar Topno, Ajit Lakra, Bimal Lakra, Birendra Lakra, Asunta Lakra, and Sumrai Tete, who are former captains, Commonwealth Games medalists, and Dhyan Chand Award winners, have carried forward that legacy.
In a conversation with SAI Media, Jagan Topno stated, “In every household in the three districts of Jharkhand—Khunti, Simdega, and Gumla—every child plays hockey. In the mornings and evenings, you can find village children playing hockey in the fields throughout Jharkhand. Hockey is an essential part of our culture.”
If one district exemplifies Jharkhand’s hockey culture, it is Simdega, often referred to as India’s “hockey nursery.” This district has consistently produced players who have represented the country despite limited infrastructure and facilities over the past few decades.
However, the landscape is changing. The district now boasts a state government hockey residential center for boys and girls aged under 12 to under 16, a center of excellence, and several non-residential coaching centers in Rengari, Jaldega, and Kurdeg. Together, these programs connect hundreds of young athletes each year, indicating a significant transformation.
Khunti is also crucial, with residential facilities for boys and girls, a dedicated 40-bed girls’ hostel, and non-residential coaching centers in Govindpur, Tortha, Murhu, Khunti, and Maranahada.
Hockey is continuously evolving throughout the state. Residential and non-residential centers are operational in Gumla, Kamdara, Konbir, Ranchi, Latehar, Hulhundu, and Hazaribagh, while the Tata Academy in East Singhbhum and the National Hockey Academy in Jamshedpur contribute to one of the largest grassroots hockey networks in India.
Topno, who works as a senior coach at the SAI center in Ranchi, mentioned, “While SAI has led the development of hockey in Jharkhand, Tata has also played a vital role. Steel companies have established several rural training centers, providing coaches with around ₹10,000 to train young players. There are also training centers offering boarding facilities for young talent.”
The SAI campuses in Ranchi and Hazaribagh have become special places for promising players selected from district-level programs.
Young athletes receive scientific training, sports science support, strength and conditioning, physiotherapy, nutrition guidance, psychological preparation, and opportunities to compete at high levels. This approach reflects a growing emphasis on long-term success rather than short-term achievements.
Topno added, “SAI conducts selection trials for players aged 10-14 in various locations in Jharkhand. Selected individuals are admitted to SAI centers in Ranchi and Hazaribagh, where top-quality training is provided. For many children from remote tribal villages, these centers represent their first access to world-class sporting infrastructure.”
The results of these efforts are evident at the national level. Players like Nikki Pradhan, Salima Tete, Sweety Dung Dung, and Deepika Soreng have become household names in the senior Indian women’s team. Emerging talents in the junior women’s program include Parvati Topno, Binima Dhan, Sugna Sanga, Neelam Topno, Shruti Kumari—products of SAI Hazaribagh—and Khilli Kumari. On the men’s side, Ashish Tanipurt is emerging as a promising name in the junior Indian setup.
Every national jersey is backed by grassroots investment. The recent announcement of a revamped Khelo India scheme by the central sports ministry is expected to provide significant support. The 2026-31 scheme proposes an eightfold increase in previous expenditures of ₹36,441 crores, aiming to increase the number of supported athletes tenfold.
The nine key elements of the Khelo India scheme include talent identification, infrastructure development, and sports technology. The substantial role of states in the complete development of Jharkhand’s hockey heritage will receive a boost. The new plan will follow a 60:40 center-state model for the state action plan.
India’s ambitions in world hockey depend not only on elite performance but also on the strength of its grassroots pipeline. Jharkhand has demonstrated what can be achieved through continuous investment in young talent. The partnership between the local community, the Jharkhand government, and SAI has created a development model that many other states are beginning to follow.
Over the past 16 years, Jharkhand’s youth development system has achieved success in the Hockey India National Championship, particularly in the women’s category. The state has won 34 medals in women’s competitions alone, including 10 gold, 11 silver, and 13 bronze. In the future, more national hockey players will emerge from Jharkhand.
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