Ranchi, Aug 30: Jharkhand Hockey has completed selection trials for the state senior men’s team ahead of the 16th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship 2026, shortlisting 33 players from a pool of 52 participants.
The trials were conducted at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda International Hockey Stadium in Morabadi, Ranchi, with players from several districts and hockey institutions taking part.
The national championship is scheduled to be held in Rourkela, Odisha, from September 10 to 22.Players from Simdega, Gumla, Khunti and Hazaribag, along with representatives from hockey academies, Railways and other institutions, participated in the selection process.
Selectors assessed the players on various parameters, including physical fitness, technical skills, match performance and their ability to fit into the team’s overall combination.
Based on the trials, 33 players have been selected for the next stage of the preparation process.A special training camp will be organised before the national tournament, where the shortlisted players will undergo further coaching and evaluation.
The final 18-member Jharkhand squad will be chosen following the camp and will represent the state at the championship.Hockey Jharkhand official Manoj Konbegi said the objective of the trials was to identify and prepare the strongest possible team for the national competition.
He said the state has a strong pool of hockey talent, including players emerging from rural areas, and emphasised the importance of providing promising athletes with appropriate training and opportunities to compete at higher levels.
Several Hockey Jharkhand officials and hockey experts were present during the trials to observe and evaluate the players.
The championship in Rourkela will provide the selected Jharkhand players with an opportunity to showcase their abilities at the national level as the state aims to field a competitive team for the tournament.
