Final Phase of Inaugural National Women's Hockey League 2024-25 Set to Begin in Ranchi
Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], March 17 (ANI): The final phase of the inaugural National Women's Hockey League 2024-25 is set to kick off on March 18 at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh AstroTurf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi, Jharkhand, according to a press release by Hockey India.
The U-21 Women's tournament will feature eight top state teams from across the country competing in a round-robin league format from March 18 to March 28, battling for the championship title.
Participating Teams and Format
The eight participating teams are:
- Hockey Haryana
- Hockey Maharashtra
- Hockey Jharkhand
- Hockey Madhya Pradesh
- Hockey Bengal
- Hockey Mizoram
- Manipur Hockey
- Hockey Association of Odisha
The tournament follows a single-pool format, with each team playing against all others once. Three points will be awarded for a win, while a draw will earn one point. The team with the highest points at the end of the league matches will be crowned champions.
Previous Phase Standings
In Phase 1, held last year, Hockey Haryana topped the standings with 16 points from seven matches. Close behind were Hockey Jharkhand and Hockey Association of Odisha, each just one point shy of first place.
Hockey India’s Expectations
Expressing his excitement, Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey stated, “It is crucial for young players to compete in domestic tournaments throughout the year for their development. I wish all players and coaches the best and hope to witness some exceptional matches and emerging talent.”
Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of consistency in league formats. “It will be interesting to see which team wins the first-ever National Women's Hockey League title. The team that performs consistently across seven matches is most likely to emerge victorious. My best wishes to all participants—give it your all on the field.”
Match Schedule – Opening Day (March 18, 2024)
- 7:00 AM IST – Hockey Haryana vs Manipur Hockey
- 9:00 AM IST – Hockey Association of Odisha vs Hockey Bengal
- 11:00 AM IST – Hockey Madhya Pradesh vs Hockey Maharashtra
- 6:30 PM IST – Hockey Jharkhand vs Hockey Mizoram
With high expectations for thrilling matches and standout performances, the tournament is set to be a milestone event in Indian women's hockey.
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