Midfielder Drupati Naik will lead an 18-member Odisha team in the 16th Hockey India Junior Womens Hockey Championship, which is being played in Pune, Maharashtra from 12 August to 23 August 2026.

Hockey Association of Odisha secretary Sanatan Sahu today announced the team, featuring Sujit Lakra and Florencia Ekka as manager and coach respectively.

The championship will be conducted in three divisions. Odisha will compete in Division-A, which features four pools of three teams each. Top two teams from each pool will advance to the quarterfinals.

Teams finishing 11th and 12th will be relegated to Division-B. Odisha has been placed in Pool-B along with Haryana and Bengal. Odisha will play their two league matches against Haryana on August 17 and Bengal on August 18.

Placed in a tough pool, it will be an uphill task for Odisha Junior Women to emulate their male counterpart, who won the gold medal in the 16th Hockey India Junior Mens Hockey Championship, held earlier this month in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

ODISHA JUNIOR WOMEN HOCKEY TEAM: Goalkeepers: Hodam Pabitra Devi, Amisha Kullu. Defenders: Nisha Dadel, Ashika Samad, Ankita Minz, Sonia Minz, Sonali Ekka, Ajita Ekka. Midfielders: Amisha Ekka, Ahalya Lakra, Janhabi Bada, Drupati Naik (Captain), Anjulata Lugun. Forwards: Binati Minz, Doli Bhoi, Sanjana Kiro, Eleena Burh, Shibani Lugun. Team Staff: Sujit Lakra (Manager), Florencia Ekka (Coach), Suchitra Mahapatra (Physiotherapist).
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PHOTO: Players and staff members of Odisha team pose before leaving for Pune to participate in the 16th Hockey India Junior Womens Hockey Championship 2026.