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Jharkhand defend title in thrilling sub-junior women’s hockey final

Jharkhand defend title in thrilling sub-junior women’s hockey final

Bavana Guntha
April 14, 2026

In a gripping display of determination and skill, Jharkhand successfully defended their Sub-Junior Women’s National Hockey Championship title , edging past a resilient Madhya Pradesh side 2–1 in a tense Division ‘A’ final on Sunday.

Playing in front of a home crowd, Jharkhand set the tone early , with Sugan Sanga converting a penalty corner in the 5th minute to give the hosts a crucial lead. The early breakthrough energized the team, but Madhya Pradesh refused to back down, showcasing remarkable composure and discipline.

After a tightly contested first half, Madhya Pradesh found their equaliser in the 37th minute through Nammi Geethasri, bringing the match back to life. With both sides locked at 1–1, the game turned into a battle of nerves, with each team pushing relentlessly for the decisive goal.

As the clock ticked down and the match seemed headed for a dramatic finish, Sewani Kerketta emerged as the hero , striking a brilliant field goal in the 56th minute to seal victory for Jharkhand. Her late intervention not only broke the deadlock but also ensured the title remained with the hosts.

Jharkhand’s triumph was no stroke of luck. The team remained unbeaten throughout the tournament , underlining their dominance and consistency. They topped Pool A with two convincing wins and carried that momentum into the knockout stages, registering identical 2–0 victories against Punjab in the quarterfinal and Uttar Pradesh in the semifinal.

Among the standout performers, Sandeepa Kumari led the scoring charts for Jharkhand with five goals , playing a crucial role in their successful campaign.

Earlier in the day, Odisha secured the bronze medal after defeating Uttar Pradesh 4–2 in the third-place playoff, rounding off an exciting tournament.

Jharkhand’s victory not only highlights their strength in grassroots hockey but also signals a promising future for women’s hockey in the state, as a new generation of players continues to rise with confidence and ambition.