Day 1 sees thrilling action at Junior Women Academy Championship in Gwalior
Gwalior, July 24
The 4th Hockey India Junior Women Academy Championship 2026 got underway in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, with Raja Karan Hockey Academy, Tamil Nadu Hockey Academy, Ritu Rani Hockey Academy and Madhya Pradhesh Hockey Academy, registering convincing victories in their respective Pool A and Pool B encounters on the opening day of the tournament.
In Pool A, Raja Karan Hockey Academy began their campaign with a 2-0 win against Khalsa Hockey Academy (Amritsar) in the opening match. Captain Rakhi (25', 58') scored a brace for the winners, according to a release.
Tamil Nadu Hockey Academy registered an 8-0 win over Hockey Family Badhkhalsa NCR Hockey Society. S Pooja (30', 47', 59') scored a hat-trick, while Captain Jancy A (12', 44') and Keerthiga (32', 34') both scored braces. V Raghavi (37') also found the back of the net for the winners.
In Pool B, Ritu Rani Hockey Academy delivered a commanding performance, defeating Vadipatti Raja Hockey Academy 13-0. Khushdeep Kaur starred with four goals (4', 39', 40', 42'), while Heena (32', 50', 55') scored a hat-trick. Chahat (28', 52') and Hashmeet Kaur (44', 45') struck twice each, while Harshdeep Kaur (3') and Sapna (47') also got on the scoresheet to complete a comprehensive victory for Ritu Rani Hockey Academy.
In the final game of Pool B, Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy produced a clinical performance to defeat Bhai Behlo Hockey Academy Bhagta 12-0. Sudipta Kindo (9', 23'), Kanak Pal (11', 30'), Sanjana Mourya (17', 26') and Sujata Jayant (18', 43') each scored braces, while Priyanshi Bhawnar (12'), Sneha Davde (25'), Tanvi (40') and Hirva Purohit (60') added a goal apiece to complete a dominant victory for Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Khushdeep Kaur scoring 4 goals in one match? That's something special. And Heena with a hat-trick too. The Punjab girls are showing their class. But I hope all academies train their defenders better, 13-0 and 12-0 scores are lopsided, not competitive. It's good for the winners but the other teams need exposure too.
Great to see this level of junior competition in India. As someone who follows hockey from the US, I can say the depth of talent here is impressive. These scores show the gap between established academies and newer ones, but that's how sports development works. Exciting times ahead for Indian women's hockey! 🏑
My daughter plays hockey at a local academy in MP. Seeing MP Hockey Academy win 12-0 gives me so much hope. Sudipta Kindo and Kanak Pal scoring braces, and the team kept a clean sheet too! But I hope Hockey India starts giving more resources to smaller academies so these matches become closer. Still, very happy for the winners. 🎉
As a Canadian expat living in India, I'm loving the growth of women's hockey here. These scores remind me of junior tournaments back home. The variety of academies from different states shows India's diversity in sport. Khushdeep Kaur with 4 goals in one game? That girl has serious potential! Keep it up girls, the hockey world is watching. 🏑
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