Manesh Naik adjudged Player of the Tournament
as Odisha outfit clinch 54th edition with a 4-3 victory
THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, NOVEMBER 12, 2026
Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High Performance Centre (ONTHHPC) returned to
the top of junior hockey with a thrilling 4-3 victory over NCC Lucknow in the
final of the 54th Nehru Junior Hockey Tournament (Boys Under-17) at Shivaji
Stadium in New Delhi.
The hard-fought triumph saw ONTHHPC reclaim the prestigious title after a
gap of three years, having last lifted the championship in 2023. The Odisha
outfit displayed remarkable determination, teamwork and composure throughout
the competition before capping their impressive campaign with a memorable
victory in the summit clash.
ONTHHPC made a confident start to their campaign, defeating Government
Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 37-D, Chandigarh, 4-2 in their opening
group-stage encounter. They maintained their winning momentum with an identical
4-2 victory over Sonipat to secure a place in the semi-finals.
The Odisha side continued its impressive run in the last-four clash,
overcoming a strong challenge from Naval Tata Hockey Academy, Jamshedpur, with
another 4-2 win to book their berth in the title decider.
The final against NCC Lucknow turned out to be a closely contested
affair, with both teams displaying attacking intent and fighting spirit.
However, ONTHHPC held their nerve in the crucial moments to prevail 4-3 and seal
the coveted championship trophy.
Adding to the team's celebrations, Manesh Naik was adjudged the Player of
the Tournament for his outstanding performances throughout the competition.
Reacting to the achievement, Hockey Ace Foundation CEO and ONTHHPC captain
Amitabh said the triumph was a proud moment for the entire centre and reflected
the dedication and discipline of the young players.
"Winning the Nehru Junior Hockey Tournament after three years
reflects the dedication, discipline and hard work of our young players, coaches
and support staff. The boys have shown tremendous character throughout the
competition, particularly in the final, where they held their nerve under
pressure. Such achievements reinforce our commitment to nurturing young talent
and providing them with the right platform to excel at the highest level. I
congratulate the entire team on this fantastic achievement and hope this
success inspires them to reach even greater heights in the future," he
said.
The championship victory is a testament to the sustained efforts of the
players, coaches and support staff at the Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High
Performance Centre, which continues to focus on identifying and nurturing
promising hockey talent.
By reclaiming the title after a three-year wait, ONTHHPC have further
strengthened their reputation as a rising force in Indian junior hockey, while
adding another significant milestone to their journey of producing future stars
for the country.
