The 14th Hockey India Junior Men National Championship 2024 came to a thrilling end on September 19, 2024, at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar, Punjab. Organized by Hockey India, the event showcased some of the nation’s finest young talents, spanning from September 9 to September 19, 2024.
Final Showdown: Punjab vs Uttar Pradesh
The championship’s grand finale saw Hockey Punjab take on Uttar Pradesh Hockey in a closely contested match. After a hard-fought game, the teams were locked at 3-3 at the end of regular time, leading to a nail-biting penalty shootout.
Penalty Shootout Drama
In the high-pressure penalty shootout, Hockey Punjab clinched victory with a 4-3 scoreline. The dramatic finish highlighted the fierce competition and showcased the immense talent present in both teams.
Battle for Third Place
In the contest for third place, Hockey Haryana delivered a dominating performance, defeating Hockey Karnataka with a decisive 5-0 win. Haryana’s strong showing secured them the third spot, while Karnataka had to settle for fourth place despite their commendable efforts throughout the tournament.
Tournament Overview: Structure and Participation
Team Participation
The 14th Hockey India Junior Men National Championship 2024 featured 29 teams from across the country. This broad participation ensured a competitive and diverse tournament, demonstrating the depth of hockey talent in India.
Tournament Format
- Group Stage: Teams were divided into eight groups, with the top teams advancing to the knockout stages.
- Quarterfinals: The group winners moved forward to battle in the quarterfinals.
- Semi-finals: The top four teams fought for a place in the final.
- Final and Third Place Playoff: The tournament concluded with the grand final and a third-place playoff.
Semi-Final Highlights
- Uttar Pradesh vs Karnataka: Uttar Pradesh secured their place in the final by defeating Karnataka 3-1 in a highly competitive match.
- Punjab vs Haryana: Punjab advanced to the final after an intense penalty shootout, narrowly edging out Haryana with a 7-6 score.
About Hockey India
Hockey India is the national governing body for hockey in India, overseeing the sport’s development and administration for both men’s and women’s teams.
Key Facts About Hockey India
- Affiliation: Hockey India is affiliated with the International Hockey Federation (FIH).
- Established: It was founded in 2009, replacing the Indian Hockey Federation.
- President: The current president of Hockey India is Dilip Tirkey, a former Indian hockey legend.
Headquarters: Hockey India operates from New Delhi, coordinating national hockey events and activities.
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The championship took place from September 9 to September 19, 2024.
The final match was between Hockey Punjab and Uttar Pradesh Hockey.
Hockey Punjab won the championship by defeating Uttar Pradesh Hockey in a penalty shootout.
A total of 29 teams from across India participated in the tournament.
Hockey India is the national governing body for hockey in India, responsible for managing and promoting the sport.
