Hockey India, supported by Anandana- The Coca-Cola India Foundation, has successfully concluded the 16th Hockey India Sub Junior Women National Championship 2026 in Ranchi, a premier national platform for under-17 hockey players, showcasing emerging talent from across the country.
Held from April 1 to April 12, 2026, The championship brought together 29 teams from across the country, highlighting the depth of talent across regions. The championship concluded with Hockey Jharkhand clinching gold after a 2–1 win over Hockey Madhya Pradesh in the final.
Since 2024, the partnership between Coca-Cola India and Hockey India has focused on long-term athlete development by enabling access to competitive platforms and structured opportunities across levels. Through this collaboration, athletes are supported by specialized coaching, training equipment, nutritional support, and access to national and international camps and tournaments, along with performance gear, sports science support and mental coaching that contribute to their overall development. The Sub Junior Women National Championship continues to play a critical role in strengthening the structure of Indian hockey, providing young athletes with access to high-quality competition and national-level exposure.
Commenting on the championship, Dr. Dilip Tirkey, President, Hockey India, said, “The Sub Junior Women National Championship is an important platform for identifying and nurturing young talent and we are grateful for our partnership with Anandana – The Coca-Cola India Foundation for their continued support in strengthening hockey development at the grassroots level in India.”
Hockey India Secretary General Shri Bhola Nath Singh added, “The Sub Junior Women National Championship continues to play a crucial role in talent identification, especially with the U-18 Asia Cup scheduled later this year. This tournament has provided us with a strong platform to assess and identify promising players who can represent India at the upcoming international stage. With the event being hosted in Jharkhand, I had the opportunity to closely observe the operational aspects that go into delivering a successful national-level championship — from infrastructure and logistics to athlete welfare and match management. It has been encouraging to witness the commitment and coordination at every level to ensure a seamless experience for all participating teams. Our partnership with Coca-Cola India, through Anandana, has further strengthened these efforts by supporting women’s hockey across both grassroots and elite levels, enabling access to better facilities, structured competitions, and long-term development pathways for our athletes.”
Devyani Rana, Vice President, Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability, Coca-Cola India & South West Asia, said, “Our partnership with Hockey India under #SheTheDifference is driven by the intent to strengthen pathways for women athletes at the grassroots level. By enabling access to competitive platforms, training and development opportunities, we aim to support the long-term growth of women’s hockey in India. We extend our congratulations to all the teams for their performance at this year’s championship.”
The partnership includes targeted development support for junior players preparing for international tournaments, including the FIH Women’s Junior Hockey World Cup 2025 and National Women’s Hockey League, which enable emerging players to compete alongside experienced athletes. Aligned with Coca-Cola India’s #SheTheDifference initiative, the partnership continues to focus on strengthening the ecosystem of women’s hockey by enabling access to structured platforms, exposure, and long-term development opportunities for young athletes across the country.