Jharkhand Stars Shine: Hockey India Names U-18 National Camp Squads

New Delhi (IANS): Hockey India announced a list of 84 talented players—including a strong contingent of 11 athletes from Jharkhand—for the upcoming U-18 National Coaching Camp at SAI Bhopal on Monday.

The selection committee chose 42 men and 42 women based on their standout performances in the recently concluded 16th Hockey India Sub Junior National Championships.

Pruning the Squad for Asia Cup

Coaches will evaluate the initial groups for one week before pruning each squad down to 24 players. These selected athletes will then undergo an intensive training block to prepare for the Men’s and Women’s U-18 Asia Cup Kakamigahara 2026, scheduled for May 29 to June 6 in Japan.

A major highlight of the Bhopal camp includes an exposure series from May 11 to 21, where the Indian sides will play practice matches against Australia’s U-18 teams.

Coaching Leadership

• Women’s Camp: Led by legendary forward Rani Rampal.

• Men’s Camp: Managed by Sardar Singh and Rajnish Mishra.

“This camp is a fantastic initiative to nurture the next generation,” said men’s coach Sardar Singh. “The upcoming series against Australia will provide these young boys with a vital taste of international pressure.”

Women’s coach Rani Rampal added, “We will focus on refining individual skills and team structure. Exposure matches against a world-class side like Australia offer the best way to prepare the girls for the demands of the Asia Cup.”

Regional Representation: Jharkhand Leads the Way

Jharkhand emerged as a powerhouse in the selections, particularly in the women’s category.

• Women’s Squad: Jharkhand leads all states with 8 players, followed by Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Odisha with 5 each.

• Men’s Squad: Uttar Pradesh contributes the most (7), while Jharkhand provides 3 key players to the roster.

Players from Jharkhand Selected for the Camp: