Hockey

India’s hockey administration is exploring a split-squad approach to navigate a tightly packed international calendar, with the Asian Games and the Hockey World Cup scheduled within a three-week window. Prioritization is clearly tilted toward the Asian Games, given its direct qualification pathway to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Hockey India is weighing the deployment of separate teams to balance performance optimization and player workload.

The Indian women’s hockey team, captained by Navneet Kaur, is preparing for a crucial four-match tour of Argentina designed to strengthen tactical combinations and build competitive momentum ahead of major international competitions. The series will serve as a key preparatory phase for upcoming events, including the FIH Nations Cup, the Women’s Hockey World Cup, and the Asian Games. The tour is expected to provide high-intensity match exposure, testing India’s adaptability against a strong Argentine side and offering valuable insights into squad depth and tactical execution.

Indian sport faces renewed scrutiny after fresh allegations of sexual harassment surfaced within Hockey India, raising critical questions about athlete welfare and institutional accountability. An anonymous complaint, addressed to Dilip Tirkey and a senior official from the Sports Authority of India, has triggered calls for an independent inquiry. The development underscores systemic vulnerabilities in safeguarding mechanisms and governance practices.

The 16th Hockey India Sub Junior Women National Championship commenced with emphatic performances across divisions at the Rajgir Sports Complex in Rajgir. Teams including Hockey Punjab, Uttar Pradesh Hockey, and Hockey Madhya Pradesh registered commanding victories, highlighting the depth of emerging talent in Indian women’s hockey. The tournament’s opening day also showcased lopsided scorelines, reflecting disparities in team preparedness.

The second day of the 16th India Sub-Junior Women National Championship produced a series of notable victories, highlighting the competitive depth of emerging women’s football talent across the country. Goa Women's Football Team secured an important win in Division ‘C’, while Bengal Women's Football Team, Chandigarh Women's Football Team, and Uttarakhand Women's Football Team registered victories in Division ‘B’.

The men’s hockey competition at the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 delivered thrilling semi-final action in Raipur as Jharkhand and Odisha secured emphatic victories to advance to the championship match. Played at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Hockey Stadium, the matches showcased the growing depth of tribal sporting talent in India. Jharkhand dominated Madhya Pradesh with an overwhelming 8–1 victory, while Odisha outperformed hosts Chhattisgarh with a decisive 5–1 result.

India’s next generation of hockey talent will take center stage as the 16th Sub Junior Women National Championship 2026 begins in Ranchi, Jharkhand. Organized by Hockey India, the tournament runs until April 12 and features a competitive division-based format designed to accelerate player development. With matches held at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium, the championship brings together emerging athletes from across the country.

India is intensifying its preparations for the upcoming Women's Hockey World Cup as the national women’s team seeks to elevate its standing on the international stage. With growing investment in infrastructure, coaching, and grassroots development, Indian women’s hockey has entered a transformative phase. The India women's national field hockey team aims to build on recent international performances and translate momentum into success at the world’s most prestigious hockey tournament.