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Vandana Katariya, the most-capped Indian woman hockey player, brought curtains on her illustrious 15-year international career on Tuesday, saying the decision taken at her "zenith" was both "bittersweet and empowering". The 32-year-old veteran striker represented India in 320 international games, scoring 158 goals. She was also a part of the Indian team that cherished the historic fourth-place finish at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. "Today, with a heavy yet grateful heart, I announce my retirement from international hockey -- a decision that feels both bittersweet and empowering," Katariya wrote in an Instagram post. "I'm not stepping away because the fire in me has dimmed or the hockey in my tank has run dry, but because I want to bow out at my zenith, while I'm still at my very best. "This isn't a goodbye born out of exhaustion; it's a choice to leave the international stage on my terms, with my head held high and my stick still blazing. The roar of the crowd, the thrill of every goal
Hockey Jharkhand edged past defending champions Hockey Haryana 4-3 in a shootout after 1-1 in regulation time to win the 15th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship here on Wednesday. Pramodni Lakra (44') and Rani (42') scored in regulation time. Rajni Kerketta, Nirali Kujur, Binima Dhan, and captain Alebla Rani Toppo netted in the shootout, while keeper Anjali Bhinjia's two crucial saves sealed the win. In the bronze medal match, Hockey Mizoram beat Hockey Maharashtra 2-1, with Manju Chorsiya (59') scoring the late winner.
Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers booked their place in the final of the Hockey India League, defeating Tamil Nadu Dragons 6-5 in a dramatic penalty shoot out here on Friday. Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers came back from a goal down twice before forcing a penalty shootout as the score was tied 2-2 in regulation time. Pardeep Singh Sandhu (30') and Sam Lane (53') scored for the Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, while Nathan Ephraums (18') and Selvam Karthi (32') scored for the Tamil Nadu Dragons. The opening goal came in the 18th minute as the Dragons took the lead. Mohammed Raheel went on an amazing run to progress to the circle before playing the ball towards goal. Nathan Ephraums dove in to deflect the ball past Carr into goal. The Tigers equalised through Pardeep Singh Sandhu. It was Abhishek who created the goal as he dribbled past his marker to go one-on-one with Harte. The Dragons goalkeeper charged off his line only to see Abhishek scoop the ball to Pardeep to his right for the easiest of .
Dutch exponent Yibbi Jansen scored a brace as Odisha Warriors thrashed Delhi SG Pipers 4-0 in the opening match of the inaugural Women's Hockey India League, which got underway here on Sunday. Besides Jansen (16' and 37'), Baljeet Kaur (42') and Freeke Moes (43') scored for the winners. The first quarter was a cautious affair as both teams took their time to get into a rhythm. The Pipers and the Warriors had a couple of half chances but were unable to find the finishing touch as the first quarter ended goalless. Jansen scored the first goal after the Warriors won a penalty corner in the 16th minute. The Dutch player, one of the best drag-flickers in the game, made no mistake as she sent the flick flying past goalkeeper Elodie Picard. The Pipers won their first penalty corner in the 21st minute but the injection was not trapped cleanly. The Warriors doubled their lead midway through the third quarter with Jansen once again on target. The Dutch star fired her drag-flick into the cor
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has been told to secure government clearance before confirming participation in the FIH Junior World Cup scheduled in India at the end of next year. PHF Secretary-General Rana Mujahid said the team would require a No Objection Certificate from the federal government for the national squad to travel for the FIH event to be held in December of 2025. "Normally we have always been permitted by our government to play in major events in India in recent years despite the strained relations between the two countries. But now we have been informed to first get clearance before finalising the team and confirming participation," he told the media here. The Pakistan junior team was unable to take part in the junior World Cup held in Lucknow in December 2016 after the players were not issued visas because of late submission of applications. Pakistan qualified for the event after finishing runners-up in the Asia Cup held in Oman recently. The Green-shirts los
Hockey is set to be axed from the 2026 Commonwealth Games as the host city of Glasgow looks to cut costs, several media reports here stated but both the the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) remained tight-lipped on the matter. Hockey has featured in each CWG since making its debut in 1998, but according to reports here, the Glasgow Games organisers want to drop it from the schedule along with net ball and road racing to ensure a trimmed programme that would be easy on the budget. Two other major sports -- shooting and wrestling -- in which India has had medal hauls in the past editions are also set to be dropped from the 2026 Glasgow CWG roster, which will deal a big blow to the country's hopes. Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS) had said in their proposal that all the competitions of the 2026 CWG would be held in venues within an eight-mile-radius. That will rule shooting out of the sports roster as the Barry Buddon centre in Dundee
Over 1000 national and overseas names will go under the hammer when the players' auction for the highly-anticipated Hockey India League is held here from October 13 to 15. The league is returning after a seven-year hiatus with an expanded format that includes both men's and, for the first time ever, women's leagues, running concurrently. The players' auction for eight-team men's competition will be held on October 13 and 14, while the historic women's auction will take place on October 15, Hockey India stated in a press release. "This auction not only signifies a revival of one of the most exciting hockey competitions in the world but also a major step forward in promoting women's hockey in India," it added. Over 1,000 players have registered for the two auctions. For the men's event, over 400 of registered players domestic, while more than 150 are international. The women's pool comprises 250 domestic and 70 overseas players. Players are divided into three base price categories