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A total of 10 players from Odisha, including three women, have been selected to represent India in the AHF Hockey Junior Asia Cup Tournament, scheduled to be held Moqi, China from 30 August to 13 September 2026.
Announced by Hockey India, the 20-member Indian Junior Men Team features seven members from Odisha, including one alternate player. They are: Vivek Lakra, Anmol Ekka, Rohit Kullu, Sanjit Tirkey, Adrohit Ekka, Aryan Xess and Ritik Lakra (alternate). Anmol Ekka has also been named as the captain.
Odisha players Engil Harsha Rani Minz, Puja Sahoo and Tanuja Toppo have been included in the Indian Junior Women Team. Junior Asia Cup will serve as a qualification tournament for FIH Junior World Cup 2027.
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Mens Junior Asia Cup was first held in 1988. Indian Junior Men Team has bagged five gold (2004, 2008, 2015, 2023, 2024), two silver (1996, 2000) and two bronze (1988, 2012) medals so far.
The inaugural edition of the Women Junior Asia Cup took place in 1992. Indian Junior Women Team has, so far, won two gold (2023, 2024), one silver (2012) and four bronze (1992, 2002, 2004, 2008) medals.
INDIAN JUNIOR (U-21) MEN TEAM: Goalkeepers: Vivek Lakra, Kunal Tewatia. Defenders: Anmol Ekka (Captain), Rohit Kullu, Chirag, Ravinder, Ashu Maurya, Sanjit Tirkey, Sukhvinder. Midfielders: Adrohit Ekka, Harpal, Jeetpal, Manmeet Singh Rai. Forwards: Ajeet Yadav, Prabhdeep Singh, Gursewak Singh, Aryan Xess, Lovenoor Singh. Alternate Players: Arjun Santosh Hargude, Ritik Lakra. Coach: Frederic Soyez.
INDIAN JUNIOR (U-21) WOMEN TEAM: Goalkeepers: Nidhi, Engil Harsha Rani Minz. Defenders: Puja Sahoo, Supriya, Pooja Malik, Parwati Topno, Madhu. Midfielders: Khaidem Shileima Chanu (Captain), Tanuja Toppo, Binima Dhan, Roshni Aind, Geeta Yadav. Forwards: Lalrinpuii, Purnima Yadav, Sukhveer Kaur, Krishna Sharma, Sanika Chandrakant Mane, Madhu Sidar. Alternate Players: F Lalbiaksiami, Tanushree Dinesh Kadu. Coach: Tim White.
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TOP: Odisha players (L-R) Engil Harsha Rani Minz, Tanuja Toppo and Puja Sahoo pose after getting selected to represent India in the Junior Women Hockey Asia Cup 2026.
RIGHT: The 20-member Indian team, including seven from Odisha, pose after being chosen to represent India in the Junior Men Hockey Asia Cup 2026.
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