Hockey Jharkhand Crowned 15th Hockey India Senior Women National Champion

The 15th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship 2025 witnessed an intense battle as Hockey Jharkhand emerged victorious over the defending champions, Hockey Haryana, in the final match held at the Tau Devi Lal Complex, Panchkula, Haryana. This victory marked Hockey Jharkhand’s first-ever national title, making history in Indian women’s hockey.

Final Match Overview

The championship final between Hockey Jharkhand and Hockey Haryana was an intense and thrilling contest. The match ended in a 1-1 draw at the end of regulation time, leading to a penalty shootout to determine the champion.

Key Moments in the Final

• Hockey Haryana’s captain, Rani, scored the first goal in the 42nd minute.
• Jharkhand’s Pramodni Lakra equalized in the 44th minute, leveling the score at 1-1.
• The match remained tied until the end of regular time, leading to a penalty shootout.
• In the shootout, Hockey Jharkhand won 4-3, with goals scored by Rajni Kerketta, Nirali Kujur, Binima Dhan, and Captain Alebla Rani Toppo.
• For Hockey Haryana, Pinki, Annu, and Manisha scored, but it wasn’t enough to secure the title.

This victory was a historic achievement for Hockey Jharkhand, which had previously reached the final in 2015 but lost to Indian Railways.

Tournament Format and Teams

New Format for the 15th Edition

The 15th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship introduced a new knockout format in Division A. A total of 12 teams participated, divided into four groups.

• Top teams from each group advanced to the quarter-finals.
• Winners of the quarter-finals moved to the semi-finals.
• Semi-final winners played in the final match.

Participating Teams (Division A)

Group A

• Hockey Haryana
• Hockey Karnataka
• Hockey Association of Odisha

Group B

• Manipur Hockey
• Hockey Punjab
• Hockey Maharashtra

Group C

• Hockey Jharkhand
• Hockey Mizoram
• Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu

Group D

• Hockey Bengal
• Hockey Madhya Pradesh
• Uttar Pradesh Hockey

Road to the Final

Semi-finals

• Hockey Haryana defeated Hockey Maharashtra to enter the final.
• Hockey Jharkhand defeated Hockey Mizoram to secure their place in the final.

Third Place Playoff

• Hockey Mizoram secured third place after defeating Hockey Maharashtra.

History of the Hockey India Senior Women National Championship

Origins and Most Successful Teams

• The first Hockey India Senior Women National Championship was held in 2011, organized by Hockey India.
• Indian Railways won the inaugural edition and remains the most successful team in the tournament’s history.
• Indian Railways holds the record with 8 titles, followed by:

1. Hockey Haryana – 3 titles
2. Hockey Madhya Pradesh – 2 titles
3. Hockey Odisha & Hockey Jharkhand – 1 title each

Previous Champions

• 2024 (14th Edition) – Hockey Haryana
• 2023 (13th Edition) – Indian Railways
• 2022 (12th Edition) – Hockey Madhya Pradesh

About Hockey India

Establishment and Role

• Hockey India was established in 2009 as the official governing body for hockey in India.
• It replaced the Indian Hockey Federation and has since been responsible for organizing national and international hockey tournaments in India.

Key Facts

• President: Dileep Tirkey
• Headquarters: New Delhi

Summary Table