Hockey India Sub-Junior Women C'ship 2026: R K Roy Academy crush Mumbai 4-0 on opening day
Synopsis
R K Roy Hockey Academy opened the 4th Hockey India Sub-Junior Women Academy Championship 2026 in Gwalior with a ruthless 4-0 win over Mumbai Schools Sports Association, as Sonakshi Kumari's penalty-corner brace set the tone. With 15 academies across four pools competing for just four semi-final spots, every result from day one carries outsized weight.
Key Takeaways
The 4th Hockey India Sub-Junior Women Academy Championship 2026 (Zone A & B) began in Gwalior on 27 July 2026 .
R K Roy Hockey Academy defeated Mumbai Schools Sports Association 4-0 in Pool B, with Sonakshi Kumari scoring a penalty-corner brace.
Sports Hockey Academy of Khalsa's Kolkata and Raja Karan Hockey Academy drew 1-1 , with goals from Soumi Majhi (47') and Riya (51').
The tournament features 15 academies across four pools ; only group winners advance to the semi-finals on 2 August .
The final and third-place playoff are scheduled for 3 August ; the tournament runs until that date.
The 4th Hockey India Sub-Junior Women Academy Championship 2026 (Zone A & B) kicked off in Gwalior on Sunday, 27 July 2026, with R K Roy Hockey Academy delivering a commanding 4-0 victory over Mumbai Schools Sports Association in Pool B. The nine-day tournament, bringing together 15 academies from across India, will run until 3 August, with group winners advancing to the semi-finals.
R K Roy Academy's Clinical Opening Display
Sonakshi Kumari was the standout performer, netting a brace through penalty corners in the 8th and 33rd minutes to put R K Roy Hockey Academy in firm control. Captain Shivani Kumari extended the lead with a field goal in the 27th minute, before Kritika Kumari rounded off a polished team performance with a fourth goal in the 42nd minute. The result gives R K Roy Hockey Academy an early advantage at the top of the Pool B standings.
Khalsa Kolkata and Raja Karan Share the Spoils
The tournament's opening fixture produced a tightly contested affair between Sports Hockey Academy of Khalsa's Kolkata and Raja Karan Hockey Academy. The match remained goalless deep into the second half before Soumi Majhi broke the deadlock with a field goal in the 47th minute, putting the Kolkata-based side ahead. Raja Karan hit back almost immediately through Riya, whose 51st-minute equaliser ensured the contest ended 1-1, with both teams collecting a point apiece from their opening outing.
Tournament Structure and Pool Breakdown
The championship features 15 academies split across four pools. Pool A includes Sports Authority of Gujarat – Hockey Academy, Hockey Family Badhkhalsa NCR Hockey Society, and Pritam Siwach Hockey Academy, Sonepat. Pool B comprises Sports Hockey Academy of Khalsa's Kolkata, Raja Karan Hockey Academy, R K Roy Hockey Academy, and Mumbai Schools Sports Association.
Pool C features Anantapur Sports Academy, Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy, Roundglass Punjab Hockey Club Academy, and Tamil Nadu Hockey Academy, while Pool D consists of Ritu Rani Hockey Academy, Vadipatti Raja Hockey Academy, Bhai Behlo Hockey Academy Bhagta, and Cheema Hockey Academy. Teams play in a round-robin format within their pools, with three points for a win and one for a draw.
What Comes Next
Action resumes on Monday with the first fixtures in Pool C and Pool D, as the remaining academies enter the competition. The semi-finals are scheduled for 2 August, with the third-place playoff and the final both set for 3 August. Only the top team from each pool will progress, making every group-stage point critical from the outset.
Point of View
Making this championship one of the few structured platforms for grassroots talent identification. R K Roy Hockey Academy's clinical 4-0 opener signals an organised, set-piece-driven approach — Sonakshi Kumari's penalty-corner brace in particular points to deliberate training rather than individual flair. The 1-1 draw between Khalsa Kolkata and Raja Karan, decided in a frantic four-minute spell late in the match, underlines how fine the margins are at this level. With only group winners advancing, the round-robin phase will be unforgiving — and the Pool C and D results on Monday could reshape the competitive picture quickly.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hockey India Sub-Junior Women Academy Championship 2026?
It is the 4th edition of the Hockey India Sub-Junior Women Academy Championship (Zone A & B), a nine-day national tournament held in Gwalior from 27 July to 3 August 2026. The event features 15 academies from across India competing across four pools for a place in the semi-finals.
How did R K Roy Hockey Academy perform on opening day?
R K Roy Hockey Academy beat Mumbai Schools Sports Association 4-0 in Pool B. Sonakshi Kumari scored twice via penalty corners, captain Shivani Kumari added a field goal, and Kritika Kumari completed the scoring to give the academy an early lead in the pool standings.
What was the result of the first match of the tournament?
Sports Hockey Academy of Khalsa's Kolkata and Raja Karan Hockey Academy drew 1-1. Soumi Majhi gave Kolkata the lead in the 47th minute, but Riya equalised for Raja Karan four minutes later to share the points.
How does the tournament format work?
The 15 academies are divided into four pools and play a round-robin league within their group. Three points are awarded for a win and one for a draw. Only the top team from each pool advances to the semi-finals, scheduled for 2 August, ahead of the final and third-place playoff on 3 August.
Which academies are in Pool B?
Pool B consists of Sports Hockey Academy of Khalsa's Kolkata, Raja Karan Hockey Academy, R K Roy Hockey Academy, and Mumbai Schools Sports Association.
