The final phase of the inaugural National Women’s Hockey League 2024-25 is all set to commence on March 18 at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh AstroTurf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi, Jharkhand. The U-21 women’s tournament, backed by Coca-Cola India and its foundation Anandana, will feature eight top state teams competing in a round-robin league format from March 18 to March 28.

The participating teams include Hockey Haryana, Hockey Maharashtra, Hockey Jharkhand, Hockey Madhya Pradesh, Hockey Bengal, Hockey Mizoram, Manipur Hockey, and the Hockey Association of Odisha. The tournament will be played in a single pool, with each team facing the others once. Three points will be awarded for a win, while a draw will earn a single point. The team finishing at the top of the points table at the end of the league matches will be crowned champions.

In Phase 1 of the tournament, Hockey Haryana topped the table with 16 points in seven matches, while Hockey Jharkhand and Hockey Association of Odisha closely followed, just one point behind.

Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey expressed his excitement for the tournament, emphasizing the importance of year-round domestic competitions for young players. “It is crucial to have youngsters compete at a high level for their growth. I wish all the players and coaches the best and hope to see some great matches and rising talents,” he stated.

Hockey India Secretary General Shri Bhola Nath Singh echoed the sentiment, highlighting the importance of consistency in a league format. “It will be interesting to see which team wins the first-ever National Women’s Hockey League title. The team that performs well across all matches is likely to emerge victorious. I urge all participants to give their best on the field,” he said.

The tournament will kick off with an opening match between Hockey Haryana and Manipur Hockey at 7:00 AM IST on March 18, followed by Hockey Association of Odisha vs. Hockey Bengal at 9:00 AM, Hockey Madhya Pradesh vs. Hockey Maharashtra at 11:00 AM, and the final match of the day featuring Hockey Jharkhand vs. Hockey Mizoram at 6:30 PM IST.

Supporting Women’s Hockey Growth

The National Women’s Hockey League 2024-25 is supported by Coca-Cola India and its foundation Anandana. This partnership aims to elevate women’s hockey by providing specialized coaching, training equipment, nutritional support, and organizing camps and tournaments to foster the growth of the sport and empower female athletes.

With a strong lineup of teams and young talent, the final phase of the National Women’s Hockey League promises thrilling competition and a step forward in strengthening the future of Indian women’s hockey.