Hockey Association of Odisha (HAO) made a sad exit from the 13th Hockey India Junior Women (U-20) National Championship, losing to Chhattisgarh Hockey 2-4 in shootout in the last quareterfinal match at Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela on 4 July 2023. Shootout was applied after play in the regulation time ended in 3-3 draw.
Host Odisha qualified for the quarterfinals, winning both of their Pool-C league matches convincingly. Led by Mamita Oram, Odisha trounced Manipur Hockey 14-0 in their first match and followed it with a 4-0 win over Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu.
Department of Sports & Youth Services (DSYS), Government of Odisha, hosted the championship, which featured a total of 28 teams. Madhya Pradesh emerged champions, defeating Jharkhand 1-0 in the final, while Haryana bagged the bronze meda, beating Chhattisgarh 12-2 in the third-place match.
HOCKEY ASSOCIATION OF ODISHA JUNIOR WOMEN TEAM: Goalkeepers: Namsi Jarika, Pinky Bilor. Defenders: Mamita Oram (Captain), Anjali Barwa, Puja Sahoo, Suman Hemrom, Mariyam Dhanwar. Mid-fielders: Supriya Kujur, Maxima Toppo, Sumi Mundari, Prativa Toppo, Priyanka Toppo, Priyanka Kujur. Forwards: Ashima Rout, Sandhya Kujur, Pratibha Ekka, Rambha Kujur, Surekha Bahala,
Team Staff: Lilima Minz (Manager), Edgar Josept Mascarenhas (Head Coach), Sujit Lakra (Assistant Coach), Lopamudra Maharaj (Physiotherapist), Sagay Raj (Strength & Conditioning Coach).
ODISHA RESULTS:
June 30 (Group-C League): Hockey Association of Odisha (Pratibha Ekka 3-PC, 26-FG, 44-PC, 50-FG; Sandhya Kujur 7-FG, 9-FG; Ashima Rout 14-FG, 20-FG, 30-PS, 37-FG, 49-FG; Maxima Toppo 39-PC, Mamita Oram 43-PC, Surekha Bahala 57-FG) beat Manipur Hockey 14-0. PoM: ?
July 3 (Group-C League): Hockey Association of Odisha (Pratibha Ekka 9- FG, Rambha Kujur 16-FG, Ashima Rout 29-FG, Puja Sahoo 58-PS) beat Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu 4-0. PoM: ?
July 4 (Quarterfinal): Hockey Association of Odisha (Pratibha Ekka 12-FG, Surekha Bahala 12-PC, Ashima Rout 37-PC) drew with Chhattisgarh Hockey (Geeta Yadav 1-FG, 4-PC; Monika Tirkey 34-PC) 3-3. Shootout: Odisha (Priyanka Kujur, Sumi Mundari) lost to Chhattisgarh (Anisha Sahu, Anita Khusro, Aanchal Sahu, Geeta Yadav) 2-4. PoM: ?
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PHOTO: Players and team staff of Hockey Association of Odisha Junior Women team pose for a group photo before the start of their campaign in the Hockey India National Championship in Rourkela on 30 June 2023.