Odisha crashed out of the 15th Hockey India Senior Women National Championships (Division-A), losing both of their Pool-A league matches at Tau Devi Lal Hockey Stadium in Panchkula, Haryana on 6 and 7 March 2025. Karnataka sent Odisha packing with a 2-1 win today. Earlier in their opening match, Odisha lost to Haryana 0-3.

This was perhaps the worst performance of the Odisha in the Senior Women National Hockey Championship and an embarrassing one too as the high-profile team was eliminated at the league stage without winning any match. Odisha finished 10th among 12 teams in the Division-A final standings with the top eight advancing to the quarterfinals.

With a goal difference of minus-four, Odisha survived in Division-A, while Manipur (GD -5) and Tamil Nadu (GD -13) were relegated to Division-B for the next season. This is the third year in a row that Odisha failed to win a medal in the Senior Women National Hockey Championship after bagging gold in 2022.

The ongoing championship is being conducted in a new format, featuring a promotion and relegation system. The 28 participating teams have been divided into three divisions. The top 12 teams, including defending champions Haryana, are competing in Division A.

ODISHA SENIOR WOMEN HOCKEY TEAM: Prativa Ekka (GK), Nikita Toppo, Philicia Toppo, Aliva Jate, Nitu Lakra, Anupa Barla (Captain), Mukta Jojo, Sonia Topno, Dipi Monika Toppo, Pratibha Ekka, Aten Topno, Mariana Kujur, Anjela Toppo, Sushanti Minz, Rashmita Minz, Ajmina Kujur, Jiwan Kishori Toppo, Madhuri Kindo (GK). Coach: Florencia Ekka, Manager: Resma Ekka, Physio: Bharati Brinda.

RESULTS OF ODISHA MATCHES:

6 March 2025: Hockey Association of Odisha lost to Hockey Haryana (Mahima Choudhary 23-PC, Monika 35-FG, Rani 55-FG) 0-3.

7 March 2025: Hockey Association of Odisha (Nitu Lakra 58-FG) lost to Hockey Karnataka (Chandana J 19-FG, 38-FG) 1-2.
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PHOTO: Players, coach and support staff of the Odisha team pose before their participation in the Senior Women National Hockey Championship (Division-A) in Panchkula, Haryana.