Hockey India names squads for Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship Muscat 2026
Synopsis
India's sub-junior hockey squads head to Muscat for the first-ever Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship — a tournament that is simultaneously a World Cup qualifier. With Sweety Kujur leading the women and Ketan Kushwaha captaining the men, the stakes extend well beyond a continental title.
Key Takeaways
Hockey India announced Sub-Junior men's and women's squads on 14 July 2026 for the inaugural Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship Muscat 2026 .
The tournament runs from 20 to 25 July in Muscat, Oman , and serves as the Asian qualifier for the inaugural FIH U18 Youth Hockey5s World Cup .
Sweety Kujur captains the Sub-Junior women's team; Ketan Kushwaha leads the men's side.
Both squads were selected from 15-member national camps held in Chandigarh (men) and Bhopal (women).
Seven nations compete in each category; India's women face Pakistan, China, Oman, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Iran.
Hockey India on Tuesday, 14 July announced the Indian Sub-Junior men's and women's squads for the inaugural Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship Muscat 2026, to be held in Muscat, Oman, from 20 to 25 July. The continental tournament doubles as the Asian qualifying event for the inaugural FIH U18 Youth Hockey5s World Cup, raising the stakes considerably for every side in the draw.
Tournament Format and Competing Nations
Seven teams will contest each category. The men's draw features hosts Oman, alongside India, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Bangladesh. The women's competition pits India against Pakistan, Oman, China, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Iran. Both squads were finalised from 15-member national camps — the boys' camp based in Chandigarh and the girls' in Bhopal.
The Women's Squad
The Sub-Junior women's side will be captained by Sweety Kujur. Goalkeeping duties fall to Khili Kumari and Mahak Parihar, while Nilam Topno and Kiran Ekka anchor the defence. The midfield unit comprises Diya, Pushpa Manjhi, and Shruti Kumari, with Nousheen Naz and Sandeepa Kumari joining captain Sweety in the forward line.
Women's coach Rani expressed confidence in the group's readiness after the preparatory camp. 'We have selected a balanced squad with a good mix of skill, speed and character. The players have worked extremely hard during the preparatory camp and have shown great commitment to improving every aspect of their game,' she said. She added that the team had specifically drilled the quick decision-making and adaptability that Hockey5s demands, describing the championship as 'a valuable platform for our young players to test themselves against some of the best teams in Asia.'
The Men's Squad
The Sub-Junior men's team will be led by captain Ketan Kushwaha. The squad lists goalkeepers Sawan Kumar and Ayush Rajak, defenders Karan Gautam and Ashish Tani Purti, midfielders Rahul Yadav and Romit Pal, and forwards Prahalad Rajbhar, Arshdeep Singh, and Shahrukh Ali alongside the captain.
Men's coach Sardar Singh said the squad had earned selection through consistent performances during the training camp. 'Hockey5s is an exciting format that rewards speed, creativity and composure under pressure, and the boys have adapted well to its unique demands. Our emphasis has been on building a cohesive unit that can execute our plans with confidence while playing an attacking brand of hockey,' Singh said.
What Is at Stake
This is the first edition of the Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship, making both titles and the qualification pathway entirely uncharted territory. A strong finish at Muscat could hand India a direct berth at the inaugural FIH U18 Youth Hockey5s World Cup, a significant prize for a nation with a proud tradition in age-group hockey. Notably, the Hockey5s format — shorter, faster, and played with five players per side — is still relatively new at the sub-junior level, meaning tactical adaptability will be as important as raw skill. India will be looking to translate its camp-level preparation into results when competition begins on 20 July.
Point of View
And India's selection process reflects that seriousness. Both coaches emphasise cohesion and format-specific adaptability, which is the right framing: Hockey5s punishes sides that try to play traditional eleven-a-side hockey at speed. What is less clear is how India's depth compares to China and Pakistan, who have invested in the format at the grassroots level. If India's camp work translates on the turf in Muscat, it could secure a historic double — continental title and World Cup berth — in the very first edition of both events.
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship Muscat 2026?
It is the inaugural continental Hockey5s championship for sub-junior players, held in Muscat, Oman, from 20 to 25 July 2026. The tournament also serves as the Asian qualifying event for the inaugural FIH U18 Youth Hockey5s World Cup.
Who are the captains of India's squads for the tournament?
Sweety Kujur captains the Sub-Junior women's team, while Ketan Kushwaha leads the Sub-Junior men's side. Both were selected following national camps in Chandigarh and Bhopal respectively.
Which countries will India face at the Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship?
In the men's draw, India will compete against Oman, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Bangladesh. The women's side faces Pakistan, Oman, China, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Iran.
What is Hockey5s and how does it differ from regular hockey?
Hockey5s is a fast-paced variant of field hockey played with five players per side on a smaller pitch. It emphasises quick decision-making, speed, and adaptability — attributes both India coaches highlighted as central to their camp preparations.
When does India begin its campaign at the Muscat championship?
The tournament opens on 20 July 2026 in Muscat, Oman, and concludes on 25 July. India's exact match schedule within the event had not been announced at the time of the squad release.
