New Delhi, March 31 (NationPress) The countdown has begun for the 16th Hockey India Sub Junior Men's National Championship 2026, set to kick off on April 1 at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium in Bihar. This exciting 12-day tournament will showcase the nation's finest young hockey prospects, segmented into three competitive divisions, a format that Hockey India introduced in national championships last year.

A total of 30 teams from various states will compete in Division ‘A’, Division ‘B’, and Division ‘C’, with a promotion and relegation system heightening the stakes. Division ‘A’ teams will vie for the championship trophy, while the top two from Divisions ‘B’ and ‘C’ will earn promotion. Conversely, the bottom two teams in Divisions ‘A’ and ‘B’ will face relegation.

Division ‘A’ comprises 12 teams divided into four pools, leading to quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final slated for April 12. Pool A features Hockey Punjab, Hockey Chandigarh, and Hockey Maharashtra. Pool B includes Hockey Jharkhand, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu Hockey, and Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu. Pool C has Uttar Pradesh Hockey, Hockey Haryana, and Manipur Hockey, while Pool D consists of Hockey Madhya Pradesh, Hockey Association of Odisha, and Kerala Hockey.

Division ‘B’ will adopt a league format with two pools. Pool A features Delhi Hockey, Hockey Gujarat, Hockey Bengal, Telangana Hockey, and Hockey Uttarakhand. Pool B includes Hockey Karnataka, Chhattisgarh Hockey, Hockey Arunachal, Hockey Himachal, and Bihar (BSSA).

Division ‘C’ will also follow a league format. Pool A consists of Hockey Andhra Pradesh, Hockey Mizoram, Le Puducherry Hockey, and Assam Hockey, while Pool B includes Goans Hockey, Hockey Jammu & Kashmir, RAJ, and Tripura Olympic Association.

The matches will take place at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium, where teams will earn 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and none for a loss during pool stages. In Division ‘A’, tied knockout matches will be resolved through shoot-outs, following FIH regulations.

With a well-structured promotion and relegation system and an impressive pool of young talent, this tournament promises to deliver high-caliber competition and serves as a vital platform for identifying the next wave of Indian hockey stars.

Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey stated, “The Sub Junior National Championship is instrumental in enhancing the grassroots framework of Indian hockey. The inclusion of teams from various divisions and the introduction of the promotion and relegation system fosters a highly competitive atmosphere, allowing young players to test their skills against the best in their category. We are optimistic that this tournament will reveal promising talent for the future of Indian hockey.”

In agreement, Hockey India Secretary General Shri Bola Nath Singh remarked, “This tournament is essential for discovering and nurturing young talents nationwide. With a comprehensive competition structure that includes promotion and relegation, we believe players will gain invaluable experience and exposure. We eagerly anticipate a thrilling tournament and wish all teams the best.”

The opening day will feature Hockey Andhra Pradesh facing off against Assam Hockey, followed by Hockey Mizoram competing against Le Puducherry Hockey. The third match will see Goans Hockey take on Hockey Jammu & Kashmir.

In Division ‘B’, Delhi Hockey will match up against Telangana Hockey, while Hockey Gujarat will challenge Hockey Uttarakhand. Additionally, Hockey Karnataka will go against Hockey Himachal, culminating in Chhattisgarh Hockey's contest against Bihar (BSSA).