Hockey Rajasthan, Hockey Jammu & Kashmir, and Hockey Uttarakhand all opened their campaigns with convincing victories on Day 1 of the 16th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship 2026 at the Major Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium in Pune on 12 August 2026. The tournament, hosted by Hockey Maharashtra, got underway across Divisions B and C, with several teams announcing their intent early.

Rajasthan and Uttarakhand Dominate Division B

In Division B Pool B, Hockey Uttarakhand produced a commanding 5-0 demolition of Goans Hockey. Raeen Kehkasha Ali and Aarti each struck twice, while Diksha added a penalty corner goal in the 42nd minute. Uttarakhand led 2-0 at half-time and never looked threatened.

Elsewhere in Division B Pool A, Hockey Mizoram were the standout performers, routing Assam Hockey 6-2. Zothanmawii was the star of the show, completing a hat-trick with goals in the 33rd, 52nd, and 55th minutes. Laltlanchhungi, Loicy Laltanpuii, and Anjana Xaxa also contributed. Assam's consolation goals came from Sunita Romoni in the 21st and 40th minutes.

Also in Division B Pool A, Hockey Andhra Pradesh edged Kerala Hockey 3-2 in an entertaining contest. Sreevidya Thirumalasetty scored twice and Pujari Madhurima Bai added a penalty corner, while Kerala pulled goals back through Jyoti Xaxa and Abhay Jyothi A S.

J&K and Rajasthan Impress in Division C

In Division C Pool B, Hockey Jammu & Kashmir secured a 4-1 win over Hockey Gujarat. Sonali Devi struck inside the second minute to set the tone, with Samina Akhter doubling the lead in the 27th minute. Kiran Bihari then converted two penalty corners in the 38th and 54th minutes to seal the result. Janvi Barai pulled one back for Gujarat in the 51st minute, but Jammu & Kashmir had gone into half-time with a comfortable 2-0 cushion.

In Division C Pool A, Hockey Rajasthan overcame Dadra & Nagar Haveli Daman & Diu Hockey 7-3. Mahavar Gayatri and Ruchi Gupta each scored twice, while Kanwar Pushpa also netted a brace and Lamoria Salini added another. Rajasthan led 3-1 at the break and maintained their attacking tempo throughout the second half.

Day 1 Full Results

Division B — Pool A: Hockey Andhra Pradesh 3 (Sreevidya Thirumalasetty 7', 40'; Pujari Madhurima Bai 50') beat Kerala Hockey 2 (Jyoti Xaxa 26'; Abhay Jyothi A S 50'). HT: 1-1. Hockey Mizoram 6 (Laltlanchhungi 2'; Loicy Laltanpuii 9'; Zothanmawii 33', 52', 55'; Anjana Xaxa 37') beat Assam Hockey 2 (Sunita Romoni 21', 40'). HT: 2-1.

Division B — Pool B: Hockey Uttarakhand 5 (Raeen Kehkasha Ali 6', 46'; Aarti 24', 50'; Diksha 42') beat Goans Hockey 0. HT: 2-0.

Division C — Pool A: Hockey Rajasthan 7 (Mahavar Gayatri 18', 58'; Ruchi Gupta 22', 47'; Kanwar Pushpa 22', 42'; Lamoria Salini 37') beat Dadra & Nagar Haveli Daman & Diu Hockey 3 (Nandniben Nandubhai Dulsada 10'; Rashmi Raikwar 35'; Anjali 50'). HT: 3-1.

Division C — Pool B: Hockey Jammu & Kashmir 4 (Sonali Devi 2'; Samina Akhter 27'; Kiran Bihari 38', 54') beat Hockey Gujarat 1 (Janvi Barai 51'). HT: 2-0.

What to Watch Next

With the group stage well underway, the coming days will test the depth of squads from stronger hockey states as they face stiffer competition. The performance of teams like Mizoram and Jammu & Kashmir — traditionally considered developing hockey regions — will be among the sub-plots to follow as the 16th Junior Women's Nationals progresses at Pune.