Odisha crashed out of the 16th Hockey India Junior Womens National Championship (Division-A), losing to Jharkhand in the quarterfinals, 4-5 via shootout in Pune, Maharashtra today. Play in the regulation time ended in 1-1 draw, while Jharkhand won the shootout 4-3.

Earlier at the league stage, Odisha finished second in Pool-B with one win and one loss. Odisha lost to Haryana 0-3 and then crushed Bengal 6-0. Midfielder Drupati Naik led the 18-member Odisha team with Sujit Lakra and Florencia Ekka as manager and coach respectively.

ODISHA JUNIOR WOMEN HOCKEY TEAM: Goalkeepers: Hodam Pabitra Devi, Amisha Kullu. Defenders: Nisha Dadel, Ashika Samad, Ankita Minz, Sonia Minz, Sonali Ekka, Ajita Ekka. Midfielders: Amisha Ekka, Ahalya Lakra, Janhabi Bada, Drupati Naik (Captain), Anjulata Lugun. Forwards: Binati Minz, Doli Bhoi, Sanjana Kiro, Eleena Burh, Shibani Lugun. Team Staff: Sujit Lakra (Manager), Florencia Ekka (Coach), Suchitra Mahapatra (Physiotherapist).

ODISHA RESULTS:

17 August 2026 (Pool-B League): Hockey Association of Odisha lost to Hockey Haryana (Khushi 15-FG, Anjani 22-FG, Durga 56-FG) 0-3.

18 August 2026 (Pool-B League): Hockey Association of Odisha (Drupati Naik 10-FG, 47-FG, Ajita Ekka 29-FG, Sonali Ekka 30-PC, Binati Minz 44-FG, Doli Bhoi 49-FG) beat Hockey Bengal 6-0. PoM: Drupati Naik.

20 August 2026 (Quarterfinal): Hockey Association of Odisha (Anjulata Lugun 24-FG) drew with Hockey Jharkhand (Rajni Kerketta 33-PC) 1-1. Shootout: Odisha (Drupati Naik, Ashika Samad, Ajita Ekka) lost to Jharkhand (Salomi Nag, Anupriya Soreng, Switi Dungdung, Rajni Kerketta) 3-4.
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PHOTO: Players and staff members of Odisha team pose before leaving for Pune to participate in the 16th Hockey India Junior Womens Hockey Championship 2026.