Odisha won the bronze medal in the 16th Hockey India Sub-Junior Women National Championship (Division-A), defeating Uttar Pradesh 4-2 in the 3rd/4th-place match at Jaipal Singh Hockey Stadium in Ranchi, Jharkhand today. Odisha girls played a total of five matches, won four and lost one.
The 18-member Odisha sub-junior women team was led by Rubina Baxla with Peter Soreng as coach. Priyanka Minz was the top scorer for Odisha with six goals. Jharkhand successfully retained the title, beating Madhya Pradesh 2-1 in the final.
Meanwhile, Odisha bowed out of the 16th Hockey India Sub-Junior Men National Championship (Division-A), losing to Uttar Pradesh in the quarterfinals 3-6 in Rajgir, Bihar earlier on April 9.
Led by Arman Soreng with Praful Tirkey as coach, the 18-member Odisha sub-junior men team qualified for the quarterfinals, losing and winning one match each in Group-D league. They trounced Kerala 8-0 after losing to Madhya Pradesh 4-6.
ODISHA SUB-JUNIOR WOMEN TEAM: Nita Majhi (GK), Kiran Kujur, Nikita Barla, Sushma Lakra, Princess Priya Ekka, Sanjana Kujur, Archana Kujur, Sonima Goud, Saraswati Oram, Khusboo Kujur, Rubina Baxla (C), Priyanka Minz, Ankita Baa, Sweety Kujur, Deepika Bage, Sudipa Baa, Kiran Ekka, Bishnupriya Sethi (GK). Team Staff: Resma Lakra (Manager), Peter Soreng (Coach), Bharti Brinda (Physio).
ODISHA SUB-JUNIOR WOMEN RESULTS:
April 6 (Group-B League): Hockey Association of Odisha (Sweety Kujur 7-FG, Princess Priya Ekka 32-FG, Deepika Bage 49-PC, Archana Kujur 59-FG) beat Hockey Andhra Pradesh 4-0.
April 7 (Group-B League): Hockey Association of Odisha (Archana Kujur 20-FG, 57-PC) beat Hockey Punjab 2-0.
April 9 (Quarterfinal): Hockey Association of Odisha (Priyanka Minz 8-FG, 26-PC, 41-FG, 54-FG, Princess Priya Ekka 20-FG, 42-FG, Sweety Kujur 26-FG, Kiran Ekka 38-PC) beat Hockey Maharashtra (Anvi Rawat 60-PC) 8-1.
April 10 (Semifinal): Hockey Association of Odisha (Rubina Baxla 27-FG) lost to Hockey Madhya Pradesh (Nousheen Naz 48-FG, Keshar Bhabar 58-FG) 1-2.
12 April (3rd/4th place): Hockey Association of Odisha (Priyanka Minz 8-FG, 18-FG, Princess Priya Ekka 22-FG, Archana Kujur 27-FG) beat Uttar Pradesh Hockey (Arika Kumari 29-PS, Mamta Kumari 58-PC) 4-2.
ODISHA SUB-JUNIOR MEN RESULTS:
April 6 (Group-D League): Hockey Association of Odisha (Winseti Tirkey 15-PC, Deepak Prakash Toppo 34-PC, 60-PC, Abhinas Lakra 53-FG) lost to Hockey Madhya Pradesh (Siddharth Ben 9-FG, 49-FG, Ans Bahutra 12-PC, 19-PC, Gautam Karan 37-FG, Raiyan Ul-Haq 58-FG) 4-6.
April 7 (Group-D League): Hockey Association of Odisha (Deepak Prakash Toppo 13-PC, Mohan Majhi 18-FG, 48-FG, Amandeep Dang 38-PC, Manesh Naik 41-PS, Bikash Majhi 45-FG, Mithles Kerketta 52-PC, Bipul Tirkey 57-FG) beat Kerala Hockey 8-0.
April 9 (Quarterfinal): Hockey Association of Odisha (Deepak Prakash Toppo 34-PC, 45-PC, 57-PC) lost to Uttar Pradesh Hockey (Karan Dhanuk 33-PC, Prahalad Rajbhar 39-PC, Ketan Kushwaha 42-FG, Nitish Yadav 49-PC, 51-PC, Romit Pal 52-FG) 3-6.
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PHOTO: Players of Odisha sub-junior women team pose with their bronze medals at the 16th Hockey India National Championship (Division-A) in Ranchi on 12 April 2026.