MP Hockey Academy sweep Sub-Junior and Junior titles at 4th Hockey India Women Academy Championship 2026
Synopsis
Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy pulled off a rare double at the 4th Hockey India Women Academy Championship 2026 in Gwalior — winning the Sub-Junior title on penalties after a 2-2 draw, then staging a stunning 3-2 comeback in the Junior final after trailing 0-2. Both wins came against the same opponent, Pritam Siwach Hockey Academy, Sonepat, making it an emphatic statement of MP's grassroots hockey strength.
Key Takeaways
Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy won both the Sub-Junior and Junior Women's titles at the 4th Hockey India Women Academy Championship 2026 – Zone A & B in Gwalior on 3 August 2026 .
The Sub-Junior final ended 2-2 ; MP won the shootout 3-1 , with goalkeeper Paridhi Mewada starring.
In the Junior final, MP came from 0-2 down to win 3-2 , with captain Kanak Pal scoring the winner in the 54th minute .
Both finals were against Pritam Siwach Hockey Academy, Sonepat .
Bhai Behlo Hockey Academy, Bhagta claimed the Junior bronze on penalties; Raja Karan Hockey Academy won the Sub-Junior bronze 4-3 .
Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy clinched a historic double on Monday, 3 August 2026, winning both the Sub-Junior and Junior Women's titles at the 4th Hockey India Women Academy Championship 2026 – Zone A & B held in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. The academy's twin triumphs over Pritam Siwach Hockey Academy, Sonepat in both finals marked one of the standout performances of the tournament.
Sub-Junior Final: Shootout Drama Decides It
The Sub-Junior Women's Final ended 2-2 after regulation, before Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy prevailed 3-1 in the shootout. Pritam Siwach Hockey Academy drew first blood through captain Diya (6'), but Geethasri Nammi (9') pulled Madhya Pradesh level almost immediately. Gunjan (44') restored Pritam Siwach's lead, only for Jagriti Yadav (55') to equalise and force a shootout.
In the shootout, Bhavika, Saroj Mansi, and Geethasri Nammi all converted for Madhya Pradesh, while goalkeeper Paridhi Mewada delivered a composed performance between the posts to seal the 3-1 shootout win and the title.
The Sub-Junior bronze medal went to Raja Karan Hockey Academy, who edged Cheema Hockey Academy 4-3 in a high-scoring affair. Tanvi scored twice (23', 36'), with Riya (31') and Deeksha (33') also on the scoresheet. Harpreet Kaur was outstanding for Cheema, netting all three of her side's goals (12', 19', 39').
Junior Final: Madhya Pradesh Stage Stunning Comeback
The Junior Women's Final produced an even more dramatic finish. Pritam Siwach Hockey Academy appeared to be cruising, leading 2-0 through Ritika (6') and Manjinder (35'). However, Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy mounted a remarkable second-half comeback, with Tanvi (41') and Nousheen Naz (52') drawing the sides level before captain Kanak Pal (54') struck the winner to seal a 3-2 victory and a second title in a single day.
Junior Bronze: Bhai Behlo Win on Penalties
The Junior Women's bronze medal was decided by a shootout after a 0-0 draw in regulation time between Bhai Behlo Hockey Academy, Bhagta and Raja Karan Hockey Academy. Shikha, Punita, and Shweta Kumari converted in the shootout for Bhai Behlo, with goalkeeper Muskan excelling under pressure to help her side claim the bronze medal 3-1 on penalties.
What This Result Means
Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy's double championship underlines the state's growing strength in women's grassroots hockey development. Winning both age-group categories at a zonal championship of this stature is a rare achievement and signals a strong pipeline of talent emerging from the region. The 4th Hockey India Women Academy Championship serves as a key development platform, identifying future stars for national-level competition.
Point of View
Not a one-off result. Madhya Pradesh has quietly invested in hockey academies, and this double is an early dividend. The more telling detail is the Junior comeback from 0-2 down: that kind of resilience is coached, not accidental. Hockey India's academy championship format is doing exactly what it should — surfacing talent before it gets lost. Whether MP can convert this zonal dominance into national-level representation in the next selection cycle is the question worth watching.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy win at the 4th Hockey India Women Academy Championship 2026?
Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy won both the Sub-Junior and Junior Women's titles at the 4th Hockey India Women Academy Championship 2026 – Zone A & B, held in Gwalior on 3 August 2026. They defeated Pritam Siwach Hockey Academy, Sonepat in both finals.
How did the Sub-Junior Women's Final end?
The Sub-Junior final ended 2-2 after regulation time. Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy won the subsequent shootout 3-1, with Bhavika, Saroj Mansi, and Geethasri Nammi converting and goalkeeper Paridhi Mewada keeping out Pritam Siwach's attempts.
How did Madhya Pradesh win the Junior Women's Final?
Madhya Pradesh came from two goals down to win 3-2. After Pritam Siwach led 2-0, Tanvi, Nousheen Naz, and captain Kanak Pal scored in the second half to complete the comeback and secure the title.
Who won the bronze medals at the 4th Hockey India Women Academy Championship 2026?
Raja Karan Hockey Academy won the Sub-Junior bronze medal with a 4-3 victory over Cheema Hockey Academy. Bhai Behlo Hockey Academy, Bhagta claimed the Junior bronze by defeating Raja Karan Hockey Academy 3-1 on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
Where was the 4th Hockey India Women Academy Championship 2026 held?
The championship was held in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, with the finals taking place on 3 August 2026.
