Jaipur Hosts Successful 5th Soft Hockey National Championship 2025-26
The 5th Soft Hockey National Championship for the 2025-26 season concluded on a high note in Jaipur, with the tournament running from January 29 to February 1, 2026. The grand closing ceremony, held on Sunday, created a solemn and celebratory atmosphere, marking the end of an exciting sporting event that showcased emerging talent from across India.
Dignitaries Grace the Closing Ceremony
The closing ceremony was presided over by Sunaina Prakash, the current Chairperson of the Legal Committee of the Indian Olympic Association, highlighting the event's significance in the national sports calendar. The chief guest for the occasion was Dr. Arun Chaturvedi, Chairman of the 7th State Finance Commission, Rajasthan, who commended the organizers and participants for their efforts.
Special guests in attendance included Dr. Ashutosh Pant, Suresh Dewan, GS Rathore, KK Tak, Shikha Pant, and Dr. Aditya Nag, adding prestige to the event and underscoring the growing importance of soft hockey in India's sports ecosystem.
Thrilling Finals and Medal Highlights
In the Senior Men's final, the Rajasthan team delivered a spectacular performance, defeating Maharashtra with a thrilling 5-3 scoreline to clinch the gold medal. Key players for Rajasthan included Vikas, who scored two brilliant goals, supported by Mohit, Pratik, and Sanjay, each contributing one goal to secure the victory. Maharashtra earned the silver medal as the runner-up.
The Senior Women's category saw the Puducherry team put up a brilliant display, winning the gold medal by defeating Rajasthan 3–0. Rajasthan secured the silver medal, while Madhya Pradesh took home the bronze, showcasing competitive spirit across regions.
Rajasthan's Dominance in Junior and Sub-Junior Categories
Rajasthan continued its strong performance in the younger categories, demonstrating depth in talent development:
- In the Junior Boys category, Rajasthan won the gold medal, with Maharashtra earning the bronze.
- The Junior Girls category also saw Rajasthan triumph, securing another gold medal for the state.
- In the Sub-Junior Boys category, Rajasthan claimed gold, Uttar Pradesh took silver, and Madhya Pradesh won bronze.
- The Sub-Junior Girls category mirrored this success, with Rajasthan establishing its dominance by winning the gold medal.
Officials Praise the Event and Its Impact
During the ceremony, Chief Guest Dr. Arun Chaturvedi praised the format of soft hockey, describing it as extremely useful for youth and emphasizing its role in promoting physical fitness and teamwork among young athletes.
Dr. Ashutosh Pant, President of the Association, hailed the competition as an important step toward the development of soft hockey, noting its potential to nurture future stars and expand the sport's reach in India.
Ramesh Singh, General Secretary, expressed his gratitude to all participants, officials, and supporters, highlighting the collaborative effort that made the championship a success and setting a positive precedent for future editions.
