Will 29 Teams Compete in the Hockey Sub Junior Men Nationals in Chennai?
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Synopsis
The 15th Hockey India Sub Junior Men National Championship 2025 kicks off on July 28 in Chennai. With 29 teams across three divisions, the tournament promises intense competition and the chance for teams to rise through the ranks. Can the new division format elevate the excitement for players and fans alike?
Key Takeaways
- The championship features 29 teams competing in three divisions.
- Matches will be held from July 28 to August 8, 2025.
- Promotion and relegation add a competitive edge to the tournament.
- Top teams from each pool will advance to the knockout stages.
- This new format is designed to enhance the quality of domestic hockey.
New Delhi, July 27 (NationPress) The 15th Hockey India Sub Junior Men National Championship 2025 is poised to kick off on July 28 at Chennai's MRK Hockey Stadium in Tamil Nadu.
Spanning from July 28 to August 8, this tournament will adopt the newly established division-based format, which debuted earlier this year during both the Senior Men and Women’s National Championships, as well as the Women’s Sub Junior National Championship held earlier this month.
Similar to the previous National Championships this year, this edition features 29 teams categorized into three divisions: Division A, Division B, and Division C. This structure aims to enhance competition through the promotion and relegation of teams.
Division A includes the top 12 teams in the nation, showcasing defending champions Uttar Pradesh Hockey in Pool A, last year's runners-up Hockey Haryana in Pool B, and third-place finishers Hockey Punjab in Pool C. Meanwhile, Divisions B and C will consist of teams ranked lower, striving to advance to a higher division for next year’s championship.
Division A (Top-tier Championship Division): Teams will vie for the championship, with the 11th and 12th placed teams relegated to Division B. Matches in Division A commence on August 1.
Teams:
Pool A: Uttar Pradesh Hockey, Hockey Madhya Pradesh, Delhi
Pool B: Hockey Haryana, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu Hockey, Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu
Pool C: Hockey Punjab, Hockey Jharkhand, Hockey Karnataka
Pool D: Hockey Association of Odisha, Hockey Chandigarh, Hockey Maharashtra
Each team will engage in round-robin matches within their respective pools. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the quarterfinals on August 5, followed by the semifinals on August 6 and the final & third-place playoff on August 8. In Division A, if a classification match results in a tie at the end of regulation time, a shoot-out, as per the FIH Tournament Regulations, will determine the winner.
Division B (Mid-tier Division): This division will feature league matches only, with the top two teams promoted to Division A and the bottom two relegated to Division C. Matches for Division B will take place from July 28 to August 1, 2025.
Teams:
Pool A: Hockey Arunachal, Chhattisgarh Hockey, Hockey Bengal, Hockey Gujarat, Goans Hockey
Pool B: Kerala Hockey, Manipur Hockey, Hockey Himachal, Hockey Andhra Pradesh, Telangana Hockey
Division C (Entry-level Division): This division will also feature only league matches, with the top two teams promoted to Division B. Matches for Division C will occur from July 28 to July 31, 2025.
Teams:
Pool A: Rajasthan, Le Puducherry Hockey, Jammu & Kashmir
Pool B: Hockey Association of Bihar, Hockey Uttarakhand, Hockey Mizoram, Tripura
Throughout all three divisions, teams will earn 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss.
Dilip Tirkey, the president of Hockey India, stated, "We have received a very positive response to the new division-based format, making the competition more engaging for domestic players. The recent Sub Junior Women National Championship also garnered enthusiasm, and we expect similar excitement for the Sub Junior Men National Championship as well."
Bhola Nath Singh, Secretary General of Hockey India, echoed these sentiments, noting, "The revamped structure is receiving an encouraging response from all domestic teams, and with the added pressure to avoid relegation, both Senior and Sub Junior teams are exhibiting heightened competitiveness. We are committed to providing invaluable exposure to our Sub Junior teams in Chennai, and I am confident that all 29 teams will have an unforgettable tournament."
Point of View
I believe that this championship not only highlights the talent in Indian hockey but also fosters growth and development among young athletes. The competitive structure encourages teams to push their limits, ensuring a thrilling experience for both players and spectators. Hockey India’s commitment to enhancing domestic hockey is commendable, and this tournament is a testament to that dedication.
NationPress
27/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the schedule for the Hockey Sub Junior Men Nationals?
The tournament starts on July 28 and runs until August 8, 2025.
How are the teams divided in the championship?
The 29 teams are divided into three divisions: A, B, and C, based on their rankings.
What happens to teams that perform poorly?
Teams that finish in the bottom ranks of their divisions may be relegated to a lower division.
Where is the championship being held?
The championship is being held at the MRK Hockey Stadium in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
How will the tournament format affect the competition?
The division-based format introduces promotion and relegation, increasing the stakes and competitiveness among teams.
