New Delhi, 16th August 2024: As part of its continuous efforts to develop the sport at the grassroots level, Hockey India, over the past month and a half, has conducted 20 Zonal Championships nationwide.

The Zonal Championships, for both men and women, provided critical exposure to the Junior and Sub-Junior category teams in the North, South, East, and West zones of the country.

In addition, the Junior and Sub Junior Academy Championships ensured that men and women players who lost the chance to play for their state associations had an opportunity to exhibit their skills to selectors and stood a chance to make it to the National Teams.

Adrian D’Souza lauded Hockey India’s commitment to developing the grassroots adding, “Hats off to the federation for having so many tournaments in one go first off.

These Zonal Championships are offering players match experience that will only aid them in the future. To make it to the National Teams they need to perform well and learn the structures at an early age so that they don’t feel lost after reaching the National Team.”

Jaspreet Kaur welcomed the idea, stating, “The Zonal National Championships and Academy Championships that Hockey India is conducting across the country ensure that Junior and Sub-Junior players get a lot of playing time under their belt.

They also get a platform to perform and stand a possibility of being selected for the Indian Junior Hockey Teams. By offering these possibilities, Hockey India will assist identify youngsters with potential at an early age when they are easier to develop into exceptional players.”

Yogita Bali chimed in, stating, “It is a very good initiative to introduce at the Junior and Sub-Junior levels. These competitions keep the players fresh and aid their progress.

Different academies winning in different categories shows that they operate at the same level, pushing each other to grow in technical and tactical elements, ultimately boosting the standard of their athletes. It will be very advantageous if these guys are selected to play for the Indian Junior Hockey Teams.”

“The Zonal Championships were conducted in venues not generally part of the major hockey-playing belts in India. While the Indian Men’s Hockey Team secured a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, hosting the Championships in sites like Surat, Guwahati, Kadapa, and Kollam has helped drive the love for hockey in these areas as well.”

Jaspreet Kaur offered her opinions, adding, “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. We don’t want to keep hockey limited to particular regions of the country; all of India should be thrilled to pick up the hockey stick.”

Adrian D’Souza jumped in, stating, “The ones who need to perform at the highest level are doing so, winning back-to-back medals in the Olympics. Giving young players the opportunity to replicate them on the pitch, while interest is still high, will bring more hockey players from these little hockey pockets.”  “Tokyo and Paris results are due to the exposure the Men’s team received at an early age through the Junior World Cup in 2016, and we can see the results now.

The next generation of hockey players can embrace this approach and grow from it. The basic target for these youngsters has been raised, and having Championships annually would help them develop at an earlier age and match those expectations,” Yogita Bali signed off, expressing great hope for the future of hockey in India.