Hockey India Praised for Boosting Junior and Sub-Junior Players with Zonal Championships
Former Indian hockey stars have praised Hockey India for their dedication to developing the sport at the grassroots level. Over the past one and a half months, Hockey India has conducted 20 Zonal Championships nationwide, providing crucial exposure to Junior and Sub-Junior players in the North, South, East, and West zones of the country.
The Zonal Championships, for both men and women, allowed players who missed the chance to play for their state associations to showcase their skills to selectors and potentially join the National Teams. Adrian D’Souza lauded Hockey India’s commitment, saying, “Hats off to the federation for having so many tournaments in one go. These Zonal Championships are giving players match experience that will only help them in the future.”
Jaspreet Kaur also commended the initiative, stating, “The Zonal National Championships and Academy Championships ensure that Junior and Sub-Junior players get a lot of playing time and a platform to perform, increasing their chances of being selected for the Indian Junior Hockey Teams.”
Yogita Bali added, “These competitions keep the players fresh and aid their development. Different academies winning in different categories show that they operate at the same level, pushing each other to improve in technical and tactical aspects.”
The Zonal Championships were held in venues not typically part of the major hockey-playing belts in India, such as Surat, Guwahati, Kadapa, and Kollam. Jaspreet Kaur noted, “It is a great initiative to spread hockey by hosting in various cities, spreading awareness that hockey is #IndiaKaGame, and it might inspire more people to pick up the sport.”
Adrian D’Souza emphasized the importance of giving young players the opportunity to emulate the success of the Indian Men’s Hockey Team, which won a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Yogita Bali expressed great hope for the future of hockey in India, stating, “Hosting Championships regularly will help young players develop at an earlier age and meet higher expectations.”
Doubts Revealed
Hockey India -: Hockey India is the organization that manages and promotes the sport of hockey in India. They organize tournaments and help players improve their skills.
Zonal Championships -: Zonal Championships are hockey tournaments held in different regions or zones of the country. They help players from various areas compete and show their talent.
Junior and Sub-Junior players -: Junior and Sub-Junior players are young hockey players. Junior players are usually teenagers, while Sub-Junior players are even younger, often under 14 years old.
Adrian D’Souza -: Adrian D’Souza is a former Indian hockey player who played as a goalkeeper. He is known for his skills and has represented India in many international matches.
Jaspreet Kaur -: Jaspreet Kaur is a former Indian hockey player who played as a defender. She has been part of the Indian women’s hockey team and has played in several important tournaments.
Yogita Bali -: Yogita Bali is a former Indian hockey player. She has contributed to the sport and is known for her efforts in promoting hockey among young players.
