THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, AUGUST 29, 2026

From the hockey fields of Odisha to the international stage, the Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High-Performance Centre (ONTHHPC) is emerging as a powerful pathway for young athletes aspiring to represent India. Six of its talented cadets have earned selection to the Indian men’s junior hockey team for the Men’s Junior Asia Cup 2026 in Moqi, China, with ONTHHPC defender Anmol Ekka entrusted with the responsibility of leading the national side as captain.

Joining Ekka in the Indian squad are fellow ONTHHPC cadets Vivek Lakra, Rohit Kullu, Adrohit Ekka, Sanjit Tirkey and Aryan Xaxa. Their selection marks another significant milestone for the Centre and reflects the impact of sustained investment in high-performance training and athlete development.

In Odisha, this philosophy is finding powerful expression through hockey, with a new generation of players steadily strengthening the state’s sporting legacy and making their presence felt at national championships and on the international stage.

Established in 2019 at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, ONTHHPC is part of the Hockey Ace Foundation (HAF) ecosystem and is supported through a partnership involving the Government of Odisha, Tata Steel and Tata Trusts. Its high-performance programme brings together specialised coaching, physical conditioning, sports science, tactical development and holistic athlete support to prepare young players for the demands of elite competition.

The Centre’s growing impact was evident at the recently concluded 16th Hockey India Junior Men’s National Championship 2026 in Coimbatore, where Odisha defeated Madhya Pradesh 2–1 to claim the title. Nine ONTHHPC cadets were part of Odisha’s championship-winning squad, underlining the Centre’s growing contribution to the state’s junior hockey programme.

Leading Odisha from the front was ONTHHPC striker and team captain Deepak Pradhan, who was named Man of the Match in the final.

The nine ONTHHPC players — Abhimanyu Gouda, Bilkan Oram, Ajay Xalxo, Samir Barwa, Bishal Kaitha, Bishal Barla, Alok Kujur, Deepak Pradhan and Deonath Nanwar — made their contributions across different positions, from goalkeeping and defence to midfield and attack. For ONTHHPC, the achievement represented more than a national championship title; it demonstrated the growing depth of talent emerging from its development programme.

The Centre’s success extends to women’s hockey as well. ONTHHPC goalkeeper Engil Harsharani Minz has earned selection to the Indian Junior Women’s Hockey Team for the AHF Women’s Junior Asia Cup 2026 in China. Fellow ONTHHPC player Supriya Kujur was also part of the Indian junior team’s exposure tour of the United Kingdom.

At the domestic level, ONTHHPC’s women’s programme has continued to make its presence felt. The Centre emerged champions at the 3rd Hockey India Junior Women Academy Championship 2025, with 18 ONTHHPC players forming part of the championship-winning squad. The Centre has also delivered consistent performances across junior national, state and invitational competitions, including podium finishes and semifinal appearances.

Yet, perhaps the most meaningful measure of ONTHHPC’s impact lies beyond the medal tally.

For several former players, hockey has provided a pathway to stable careers and greater financial security. Athletes from the Centre have secured employment with organisations including the Indian Army, Border Security Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Indian Railways, Rail Wheel Factory, Integral Coach Factory and Eastern Railway.

For many young athletes, particularly those from challenging socio-economic backgrounds, hockey is therefore becoming more than a sporting pursuit. It is opening doors to professional opportunities, financial independence and a more secure future.

For Tata Steel, this commitment is rooted in a sporting legacy spanning nearly a century. Sport has long been an integral part of the company’s culture, with Tata Steel playing a pioneering role in promoting Indian sport and developing academies across disciplines including football, archery, athletics, hockey and sport climbing.

The vision extends beyond producing sporting champions. It seeks to create an ecosystem in which sport contributes to health, well-being, empowerment and community development, while providing young athletes with opportunities to build meaningful careers.

As six ONTHHPC cadets prepare to don the India jersey in China, their journey offers a compelling glimpse into what sustained investment in grassroots and high-performance sport can achieve — from nurturing talent in Odisha to creating opportunities on the national and international stage.