Jharsuguda, Odisha : The Jharsuguda Junior Girls Hockey Team delivered a spirited performance in the quarterfinals of the Inter-District Junior Girls Hockey Championship 2025, held at the iconic Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium, Rourkela.
Organized by the Hockey Association of Odisha, the three-day event showcased the best young hockey talent from across the state. In the quarterfinal, Jharsuguda faced the mighty Odisha Naval Tata Hockey Promotion Council team, stacked with hostel-trained state-level players. Despite a 4-0 loss, Jharsuguda’s fighting spirit and teamwork impressed the crowd, proving they are a rising force in Odisha hockey.
Jharsuguda’s road to the last eight was marked by dominant wins:
First Round: Defeated Malkangiri 8-0, with Eva Majhi and Usha Anind both scoring hat-tricks.
Second Round: Outclassed Dhenkanal 7-0, led by Milan Toppo’s hat-trick, supported by Usha Anind’s brace and two goals from Nisita Majhi.
These emphatic victories secured their quarterfinal berth, where they displayed grit despite limited experience on AstroTurf.
The team earned praise from top district officials and hockey leaders. Among them were Jharsuguda Collector & Hockey Association Odisha President Kunal Motiram Chavan, Additional Collector Brajabandhu Bhoi, Vice-President of Hockey Association Odisha Jeevan Mohanty, District Sports Officer Tushar Kanti Mishra, and School Sports Officer Bimal Kumar Tandi. Senior members Ashwini Pandey, Prajjwal Patel, Klement Ronad, Shakun Nayak, and Defer Dede also congratulated the players.
Coaches Praful Kulu and Jitendra Mahant, along with team manager Sushri Gitanjali Mahant, played key roles in guiding the squad.
Although Jharsuguda’s campaign ended in the quarterfinals, their fearless performance against one of Odisha’s strongest teams highlights their potential. With more AstroTurf exposure and structured training, this young team could soon emerge as serious contenders in state-level and national hockey competitions.
