Junior Men, Women West Zone Hockey begins in Chhattisgarh

(MENAFN- IANS) New Delhi, July 20 (IANS) The 2nd Hockey India Junior Men & Women West Zone Championship 2024 will take place at Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh from July 21 to 28.

The participating teams have been divided into two pools in the women’s category. Pool A consists of Hockey Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh Hockey and Hockey Gujarat. Pool B consists of Hockey Maharashtra, Hockey Rajasthan, Goans Hockey and Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu Hockey. The competition format will be a round-robin within each pool, with the top two teams from each pool progressing to the semi-finals.

The men’s category consists of six teams in one pool: Hockey Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh Hockey, Hockey Gujarat, Hockey Maharashtra, Hockey Rajasthan and Goans Hockey. The top two teams from the round-robin will advance to the final, while the third and fourth-placed teams will compete for third place in a knockout match.

“We are looking forward to the 2nd Hockey India Junior Men & Women West Zone Championship which will bring together promising young talents from the region,” said Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey. “This championship is all about learning and developing as players. It will provide a good platform for young players to showcase their skills and gain significant experience,” he added.

“Our aim is to nurture the young players and give them the best possible experience,” said Hockey India General Secretary Bhola Nath Singh. “Matches like these are essential in building their confidence and preparing them for the higher levels of the sport.”

The opening day of the competition will see Hockey Madhya Pradesh clash with Goans Hockey, while Hockey Rajasthan will take on Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu Hockey in the women’s category. In the men’s category, Hockey Madhya Pradesh will play against Goans Hockey, Hockey Rajasthan will take on Hockey Gujarat and Hockey Maharashtra will take on Chhattisgarh Hockey.

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