New Delhi, March 31: The 16th edition of the Hockey India Sub Junior Women National Championship is set to commence on April 1 in Ranchi, Jharkhand, and will run until April 12. This year, the tournament will adopt a division-based format, a competitive structure that was introduced by Hockey India in national championships last year.

Division ‘A’ features 12 teams organized into four pools. The knockout phase will begin on April 9 and culminate with the final match on April 12. Hockey Jharkhand, the host team, leads Pool A, which also includes Bihar (BSSA) and Hockey Maharashtra. Pool B comprises Hockey Odisha, Hockey Punjab, and Hockey Andhra Pradesh. In Pool C, teams from Hockey Haryana, Hockey Madhya Pradesh, and Manipur Hockey will compete, while Pool D includes Hockey Mizoram, Uttar Pradesh Hockey, and Chhattisgarh Hockey.

Division ‘B’ will follow a league format from April 1 to 6, with teams divided into two pools. Pool A consists of Delhi Hockey, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu Hockey, Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu, Hockey Bengal, and Assam Hockey. Pool B features Hockey Chandigarh, Hockey Uttarakhand, Hockey Gujarat, Hockey Karnataka, and Hockey Himachal.

Division ‘C’ will also be conducted in a league format from April 1 to 4. Pool A includes Kerala Hockey, Telangana Hockey, and Goans Hockey, while Pool B features Hockey Jammu & Kashmir, Le Puducherry Hockey, RAJ, and Tripura Olympic Association.

All matches will take place at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi. Teams will earn three points for a victory, one point for a draw, and no points for a loss. In Division ‘A’, if knockout matches end in a tie, they will be resolved through shoot-outs in accordance with FIH regulations.

Prior to the tournament, Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey remarked, “The Sub Junior Women National Championship serves as a vital platform for discovering and developing young talent. The division-based format provides players with exposure to high-level competition and establishes a pathway for their growth through promotion. I wish all teams the best of luck.”

Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh added, “This tournament is crucial for reinforcing the grassroots framework of Indian hockey. It is heartening to see participation from all over the country, and we are optimistic that the championship will highlight the next generation of skilled players.”

The first day of the tournament will feature Hockey Jammu Kashmir facing Le Puducherry Hockey at 6 am, followed by a match between Delhi Hockey and Hockey Bengal at 7:45 am. The third match, scheduled for 9:30 am, will see Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu Hockey compete against Assam Hockey. At 2:45 PM, Hockey Chandigarh will take on Hockey Karnataka, and the final match of the day will be between Hockey Uttarakhand and Hockey Himachal at 4:30 PM.