NEW DELHI: National selectors will be at the prestigious domestic championships looking for new potential, thus aspiring hockey stars around the nation seeking to break into the national programme will be preparing for them.
The crucial 13th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship 2023, set to start on February 15 in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, will mark the start of the domestic season for this year. The defending champions Odisha and the runners-up Karnataka will both be seeking to revenge their 0-2 Final defeats, respectively.
29 teams in total will travel to Kakinada to take part in the illustrious competition.
Hockey buffs in Bengaluru will be treated to exciting action with country's best PSUs turning up for the 3rd Hockey India Senior Men Inter-Department National Championship 2023 scheduled for February 26.
Railway Sports Promotion Board won the previous competition, which was held in New Delhi, 3-1 over Petroleum Sports Promotion Board in a thrilling shootout. Services Sports Control Board defeated Punjab National Bank to take third place. Players like Jugraj Singh and Sukhjeet Singh received a call-up for the Senior National Coaching camp in 2022 following the first edition of this newly formed National Championships just for PSUs, and they later made their debut with the National squad.
The domestic season will continue in April with the 13th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship 2023, while hockey action will return to Rourkela in March for home games against Germany and Australia in the FIH Hockey Pro league. Last year, Karnataka defeated Maharashtra 4-3 in the third-place match, while Haryana defeated Tamil Nadu 3-1 in a nail-biting shootout to win the title.
Dilip Tirkey, the president of Hockey India, commented on the start of the domestic season "I send my best wishes to all the athletes getting ready for the coveted National Championships. Many prospective hockey players across the nation will use these competitions as stepping stones in the development of their careers. The annual championships are essential for expanding the talent pool for the future since we have incredibly talented players waiting to be identified by the national selectors. All participating teams will have access to the greatest facilities, thanks to Hockey India and the assistance of our host Member Units." The dates for additional age-group and inter-academy championships, which are planned for later this year, will also be announced by Hockey India.
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