THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
COIMBATORE, AUGUST 8, 2026
Hockey Association of Odisha were crowned champions of the
16th Hockey India Junior Men National Championship 2026 – Division ‘A’ after
edging out Hockey Madhya Pradesh 2-1 in a fiercely contested final here on
Saturday.
Odisha made a dream start to the summit clash as Mandeep
Kerketta found the back of the net in the second minute, giving his side an
early advantage and putting Madhya Pradesh on the back foot.
Madhya Pradesh, however, responded with purpose and created
several opportunities as the contest intensified. Odisha's defence stood firm
under pressure, while both teams battled for supremacy in midfield and searched
for openings in the attacking circle.
The pressure eventually paid off for Madhya Pradesh when
Sohil Ali scored in the 37th minute to restore parity and set up a thrilling
final quarter.
Odisha responded in style, with their captain Deepak Pradhan
stepping up to restore his side's lead in the 45th minute.
With the championship at stake, Madhya Pradesh threw players
forward in search of an equaliser during the closing stages. Odisha, though,
maintained their composure and defended resolutely to hold on to their 2-1 lead
until the final hooter.
The triumph capped an impressive campaign for Hockey
Association of Odisha and saw them lift the coveted national junior men's
title.
In the third-place playoff, Hockey Punjab produced a dominant
attacking display to defeat Hockey Jharkhand 6-3 and claim the bronze medal.
Punjab struck first through Gurwinder Singh in the 11th
minute before their captain Jarman Singh scored twice in quick succession in
the 34th and 36th minutes.
Ajaypal Singh added another in the 41st minute, while
Charanjeet Singh struck twice in the 52nd and 53rd minutes to put Punjab firmly
in control.
Jharkhand refused to surrender and Patras Hassa completed a
hat-trick with goals in the 33rd, 40th and 56th minutes. Punjab's attacking
efficiency, however, proved decisive as they secured a convincing 6-3 victory
to finish third.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi hailed Team Odisha for its “spectacular victory” after Hockey Association of Odisha defeated Madhya Pradesh 2-1 to clinch the 16th Hockey India Junior Men National Championship title in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
“Heartiest congratulations to Team Odisha on a spectacular victory in the 16th Hockey India Junior Men National Championship,” Majhi posted on X, describing the triumph as a proud moment for the state and a reflection of the talent, determination and fighting spirit of its young hockey players.
