Odisha has added another proud chapter to its hockey journey. Hockey Association of Odisha emerged champions of the 16th Hockey India Junior Men National Championship 2026 – Division A, defeating Madhya Pradesh 2–1 in a thrilling final played in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, on August 8.
The victory is another significant achievement for Odisha’s young hockey players and highlights the state’s continuing strength in developing talent at the grassroots and junior levels. Hockey India officially confirmed Odisha as the champions after the team held on to its lead until the final hooter.
Odisha Starts the Final on the Front Foot
The final between Odisha and Madhya Pradesh was closely contested, but Odisha made the perfect start.
Mandeep Kerketta opened the scoring in just the second minute, giving Odisha an early 1–0 advantage. The early goal immediately put Madhya Pradesh under pressure and gave Odisha confidence.
Madhya Pradesh, however, did not allow the match to slip away. The team gradually created opportunities and continued to challenge Odisha’s defence. Odisha’s players remained organised and worked hard to protect their advantage as the contest moved forward.
Madhya Pradesh Equalises
The pressure eventually produced a breakthrough for Madhya Pradesh. Sohil Ali scored in the 37th minute to make it 1–1. With the scores level, the final entered its most important phase. Both teams pushed for the decisive goal, knowing that one moment could determine the national champion. Odisha responded strongly.
Captain Deepak Pradhan Delivers the Winning Goal
The decisive moment came in the 45th minute. Odisha captain Deepak Pradhan found the back of the net to restore Odisha’s lead at 2–1. His goal proved to be the championship-winning strike. Madhya Pradesh continued to search for another equaliser during the closing stages, but Odisha’s defence stood firm. The Odisha players maintained their shape and resisted the late pressure until the final whistle. When the hooter sounded, Odisha had secured a memorable 2–1 victory and the national championship title.
Odisha’s Road to the Final
The championship victory was built on a strong run through the knockout stages. In the quarter-final, Odisha produced an impressive 5–1 victory over Hockey Haryana. Lelsan Minz scored a hat-trick, while Mandeep Kerketta and captain Deepak Pradhan also found the target. Odisha then faced Hockey Punjab in the semi-final. That match turned into a high-scoring thriller, with Odisha eventually winning 6–4. Bilkan Oram was the standout performer, scoring a hat-trick, while Alok Kujur, Deepak Pradhan and Amit Kiro also scored for Odisha. The results showed the team’s attacking quality before the final, but it was Odisha’s ability to remain disciplined under pressure that ultimately made the difference against Madhya Pradesh.
A Big Moment for Odisha’s Young Hockey Talent
The junior national championship is more than just another domestic tournament. It provides young players with an important platform to compete at a high level and develop their skills.
Hockey India has described the Junior Men National Championship as an important part of India’s player-development pathway. Players who perform strongly at this level can go on to compete for higher honours and potentially earn opportunities with national teams.
For Odisha, the victory also reinforces the state’s reputation as one of India’s important hockey centres. The state has a long association with the sport and has produced players who have represented India at major international competitions. The latest junior title shows that the next generation is continuing that tradition.
Odisha’s Young Stars Have Plenty to Celebrate
The final also showcased several players who could become names to watch in Indian hockey in the coming years. Mandeep Kerketta gave Odisha the perfect start with his early goal, while captain Deepak Pradhan delivered when the team needed him most. Bilkan Oram’s hat-trick in the semi-final was another major highlight of Odisha’s championship campaign. These performances will give Odisha’s young players valuable confidence as they continue their development.
Punjab Takes Bronze
In the third-place playoff, Hockey Punjab defeated Hockey Jharkhand 6–3 to claim the bronze medal. Punjab produced a strong attacking performance, with Gurwinder Singh, Jarman Singh, Charanjeet Singh and Ajaypal Singh among the scorers. Jharkhand’s Patras Hassa scored a hat-trick, but Punjab’s attacking efficiency helped them secure third place.
Odisha Hockey Continues to Shine
The latest championship is another positive moment for Odisha sports. From grassroots development to national-level competitions, hockey continues to be an important part of the state’s sporting identity. The success of the junior team is particularly encouraging because these players represent the next generation of Odisha hockey.
Winning a national championship at junior level is not the end of the journey. For these players, it could be the beginning of an even bigger opportunity. The challenge now will be to continue developing, perform consistently at higher levels and eventually compete for places in India’s senior hockey setup. For Odisha, however, August 8 will be remembered as another special day. Hockey Association of Odisha are the 2026 national junior men’s champions.
The young team defeated Madhya Pradesh 2–1, defended their lead under pressure and brought the championship trophy home after an impressive campaign in Coimbatore. It is another achievement that will make hockey fans across Odisha proud.
Odisha’s sporting culture has produced several inspiring stories, including the remarkable journey of an Odisha teen who cycled 2,000 km to meet Hardik Pandya.
Disclaimer
This article has been prepared using information released by Hockey India and reports from established media sources. This post is published for information and educational purpose, readers are encouraged to refer to official sources for complete tournament information.
