Mizoram Shines as Future Women Hockey Talents Discovered at ASMITA Sub-Junior League

New Delhi, April 23 (NationPress) Five under-16 girls from Mizoram have been selected by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to join various National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) for hockey. Recognized as vital for the development of women’s hockey in India, these young athletes were chosen after the completion of the 2024-25 season of the ASMITA league matches.

The selected group consists of 15 players, including three from Haryana and two each from Jharkhand and Odisha. The inclusion of players from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh highlights the growing enthusiasm for hockey across the nation.

Piyush Dubey, the High-Performance Director for hockey at SAI and Khelo India, stated that these girls are being groomed with future events like the 2032 and 2026 Olympics in mind.

“It's crucial to establish a pathway, as these girls possess the potential to reach the senior national team. Over the past few years, ASMITA has enabled us to observe numerous players, marking a significant shift in our hockey landscape,” Dubey explained.

He further noted that players such as Sunelita Toppo, Sujata Kujur, and Sakshi Rana have emerged from this league and are now representing India.

In the final phase of the ASMITA sub-junior hockey league, six teams with 120 under-16 players participated, competing in a total of 17 matches for a prize pool of Rs 15.5 lakh. SAI Shakti claimed the team championship for the third year in a row, defeating Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy 2-1 in the finals held at Delhi’s National Stadium.

Odisha’s Naval Tata Hockey High Performance Centre secured third place, while Pritam Siwach Hockey Academy finished fourth.

The following players have been chosen: For NCOE Lucknow - 1. Shweta Upadhyay (Haryana), 2. Rashi (Haryana). For NCOE Mumbai – 3. Laldinpuii (Mizoram), 4. Binita Karketta (Jharkhand), 5. Suneli Burh (Odisha) 6. Salmi Jadia (Odisha). For NCOE Delhi – 7. Tulashi (Andhra Pradesh), 8. Pearlin (Karnataka), 9. Vanlarinluii (Mizoram), 10. Lalnulfelli (Mizoram). For NCOE Sonipat – 11. Diya (Haryana). For NCOE Bhopal - 12. Aradhana Rajbhar (Uttar Pradesh), 13. Shivani Khalko (Jharkhand). For NCOE Kolkata – 14. Loicy Lalthanpuii (Mizoram), 15. Lalfakwami (Mizoram).

Mizoram has witnessed remarkable growth in women’s hockey, having won its first-ever bronze medal in the senior national women’s hockey championship in Panchkula, Haryana.

Dubey remarked that girls from Mizoram have shown significant progress over the past five to six years, crediting the dedicated coaches at the SAI centre in Thenzawl. Lalrothuami, a former junior India player who became a coach in 2011, stated that young girls are increasingly interested in hockey, with around 40 currently training at the SAI Centre.

Mizoram has adopted an innovative approach to attract youth to hockey, utilizing the image of current Indian women’s team player and Tokyo Olympian Lalremsiami Hmarzote in advertisements and social media campaigns to encourage girls to participate in trials.

“The response from the villages has been quite positive. Two of our girls, Lalthantluangi and Lalrinpuii, are products of ASMITA and members of the junior Indian team. They serve as excellent role models for us, and we are thrilled that five girls from Mizoram have been selected for NCOE training,” Lalrothuami expressed.

“Our players require more competitive exposure and a superior training environment. Skill-wise, all players are fairly equal; however, the Mizo girls exhibit greater strength and stamina. We are hopeful they will make the most of the facilities available at the NCOEs,” the coach added.

Selection for the NCOEs does not guarantee permanent membership, as there are two evaluations each year. Players are assessed based on three primary criteria: physical strength, sports science tests, and skills. Those who fail to meet specific standards will be deselected, ensuring quality control and allowing opportunities for other deserving players.