Senior Women’s Nationals: Madhya Pradesh set to face off against Chhattisgarh in season opener

The 14th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship is set to begin at the Major Dhyanchand Hockey Stadium Pimpri in Pune on Wednesday, with Madhya Pradesh facing off against Chhattisgarh. The tournament will feature 27 teams competing for the title and a chance to be selected as core probables for the national team.

Key players like Indian captain Savita, Vandana Katariya, Monika, Navneet Kaur, Salima Tete, and emerging talents like Deepika and Sangita Kumari will participate in the competition representing their respective states. Defending champions Madhya Pradesh will compete in Pool A alongside Bihar and last year’s runners-up Chhattisgarh. Hosts Maharashtra are in Pool B with Delhi and Kerala.

The tournament will feature teams divided into eight pools, with the winners advancing to the quarterfinals on March 20. The semifinals will be on March 22, with the final scheduled for the following day. Notably, 29 Indian international players, including players from Maharashtra, Odisha, Jharkhand, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Mizoram, will take part in the championship.

Haryana will have a strong line-up with 11 international players, while other teams like Jharkhand, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Mizoram will feature top national players. The competition promises to be intense as teams compete for the prestigious title and a chance to impress national selectors for future opportunities.