Pune, August 12: The 16th Hockey India Junior Women’s National Championship 2026 kicked off on Wednesday. The tournament, held at the Major Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium in Pune, saw impressive performances from the teams of Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, and Uttarakhand on the first day of competition in Groups B and C.
Organized by Hockey Maharashtra, the tournament began with a bang, featuring matches in both Division B and C. Several top teams made a strong start with victories in their opening matches.
In the Division B Pool A match, Hockey Rajasthan defeated Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu Hockey with a score of 7-3. Similarly, in the Division B Pool B match, Hockey Uttarakhand secured a stunning 5-0 victory over Goans Hockey.
In the Division C Pool B match, Hockey Jammu & Kashmir triumphed over Hockey Gujarat with a score of 4-1.
In Division C Pool A, Hockey Rajasthan also began strongly, beating Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu Hockey 7-3. By halftime, Rajasthan led 3-1 and maintained their aggressive play in the second half. Mahawar Gayatri scored two goals in the 18th and 58th minutes, while Ruchi Gupta netted two goals in the 22nd and 47th minutes.
Kanwar Pushpa scored in the 22nd and 42nd minutes, and Lamoria Shalini added another goal in the 37th minute. For Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu Hockey, Nandani Ben Nandubhai Dulsda, Rashmi Raikwar, and Anjali each scored one goal.
In Division C Pool B, Hockey Jammu & Kashmir achieved a 4-1 victory over Hockey Gujarat. Sonali Devi opened the scoring in the second minute, and then Sameena Akhtar doubled the lead in the 27th minute.
Kiran Bihari converted two penalty corners into goals in the 38th and 54th minutes to secure the win. The only goal for Gujarat came from Janvi Barai in the 51st minute. By halftime, Jammu & Kashmir led 2-0.
The Division B Pool A match between Hockey Andhra Pradesh and Kerala Hockey concluded with a thrilling 3-2 victory for Andhra Pradesh. Andhra Pradesh took an early lead in the seventh minute with a goal from Srividya Tirumalasetty, but Jyoti Jaksaa equalized for Kerala in the 26th minute.
Srividya regained the lead for Andhra Pradesh in the 40th minute, and Pujari Madhurima Bai doubled the advantage in the 50th minute. In the same minute, Abhay Jyoti A.S scored for Kerala Hockey.
Hockey Mizoram showcased an impressive performance in another Division B Pool A match, defeating Assam Hockey 6-2. Mizoram led 2-1 at halftime and continued their aggressive play after the break. Jothan Mavi was the standout player, completing a hat-trick with goals in the 33rd, 52nd, and 55th minutes.
Laltalan Chungi, Lois Lal Tan Pui, and Anjana Jaksaa also contributed to the scoreline. For Assam, Sunita Romoni scored in the 21st and 40th minutes.
In Division B Pool B, Hockey Uttarakhand recorded a remarkable 5-0 win over Goans Hockey. Ryan Kahkashan Ali and Aarti scored in the first half, giving Uttarakhand a 2-0 lead at the break.
Uttarakhand maintained their dominance in the second half; Ryan Kahkashan Ali scored his second goal in the 46th minute, followed by Aarti, who netted her second goal in the 50th minute. Diksha completed the scoring with a penalty corner goal in the 42nd minute.
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