NEW DELHI: Hockey Jharkhand maintained its dominance at the grassroots level by winning the 16th Hockey India Sub Junior Women National Championship 2026 Gold Medal. This marks their third consecutive title (2024, 2025, 2026) and confirms their position as one of the top junior teams in the country.
Jharkhand has made notable progress in developing hockey infrastructure, especially in constructing astroturfs from 2014 to 2026. Simdega has two astroturfs, as does Khunti. Ranchi features several facilities, including at Bariatu, Hatia (Railway), AG Complex, and Morabadi, where an existing turf was renovated and relaid. Hazaribagh also hosts one astroturf at the SAI centre. Jamshedpur houses two astroturfs at the Naval Tata Hockey Academy (NTHA), with another currently being built in Gumla. This expansion of infrastructure has significantly contributed to fostering hockey talent throughout the state.
Over the past 16 years, Jharkhand’s organised youth development program has led to notable success at the Hockey India National Championships, especially in women’s divisions. The state has won a total of 34 medals in women’s events, comprising 10 Gold, 11 Silver, and 13 Bronze medals, highlighting the strength and reliability of its grassroots initiatives.