New Delhi (IANS): The 16th Hockey India Sub Junior Women National Championship 2026 kicks off tomorrow, April 1, at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi, Jharkhand. The tournament, which concludes on April 12, features a competitive division-based structure across three tiers.
Division ‘A’ consists of 12 elite teams split into four pools. Host team Hockey Jharkhand leads Pool A alongside Bihar (BSSA) and Maharashtra. Other top contenders include Odisha, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. The knockout rounds begin on April 9, culminating in the Final on April 12.
Division ‘B’ and ‘C’ will follow league formats. Division ‘B’ features 10 teams, including Delhi, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, competing from April 1–6. Division ‘C’ will run from April 1–4, featuring teams such as Kerala, Telangana, and Jammu & Kashmir.
Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey highlighted the championship as a vital platform for nurturing young talent.
“The Sub Junior Women National Championship identifies the next generation. This format ensures high-quality competition and a clear growth pathway through promotion,” Tirkey stated.
Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh added that the tournament strengthens Indian hockey’s grassroots structure, showcasing talent from every corner of the country.
The action begins early on Wednesday morning. Hockey Jammu & Kashmir will face Le Puducherry Hockey at 6:00 AM, followed by a clash between Delhi Hockey and Hockey Bengal at 7:45 AM. Other opening day matches include Dadra & Nagar Haveli vs. Assam, Hockey Chandigarh vs. Hockey Karnataka, and Uttarakhand vs. Himachal.
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Saba Anjum Karim, born on 12 June 1985, is a former member of the Indian national women’s hockey team who emerged as one of the most promising talents in Indian hockey during the early 2000s. Her rise in Indian hockey gained momentum in 2000 when she was selected for junior national camps. That same year, at just 15, she made her professional debut at the Under-18 Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) Cup held in Hong Kong. Her early success continued as she represented India at the 2001 FIH Junior Women’s World Cup in Buenos Aires.
https://www.indianetzone.com/saba_anjum_karim