Team Jharkhand welcomed in Ranchi after first-ever Senior Women's Hockey National Title

Gumla: The victorious womens' hockey team of Jharkhand came home to a rousing welcome on Thursday evening. The Jharkhand's women's hockey team secured their first-ever Hockey India Senior Women's National Championship title, defeating defending champions Haryana 4-3 in a thrilling penalty shootout at Panchkula on Wednesday. Hockey Jharkhand president and Hockey India secretary general Bholanath Singh announced a cash reward of Rs 2 lakh for the team.

The victory was a testament to Jharkhand's traditional tribal passion for hockey and their exceptional stick work, which helped them dethrone the defending champions. The match, played on Haryana's home turf, remained deadlocked at 1-1 during regulation time, with Pramodini Lakra scoring for Jharkhand and Haryana captain Rani Rampal finding the net for her team.

In the decisive shootout, Jharkhand's Rajni Kerketta, Nirali Kujur, Binima Dhan, and captain Albela Rani Toppo successfully converted their attempts. While Haryana's Pinki, Annu, and Manisha managed to score, it was Jharkhand's goalkeeper Anjali Binjhia who emerged as the hero with two crucial saves to secure the championship.

The victory is particularly significant as Jharkhand has been consistently challenging Haryana's dominance in women's hockey since 2017, having defeated them in sub-junior and junior formats in various national tournaments. Prior to this, almost a decade ago they could reach the finals against Railways in 2015 but had lost in the finals.

Simdega district, which contributed 11 players to the winning team, has been a breeding ground for national team talent. The championship-winning squad also included four players from Khunti and three from Ranchi district.

Manoj Konbegi, vice-president of Hockey Jharkhand, highlighted the team's journey, noting that many players who triumphed in Panchkula were part of the successful junior teams that defeated Haryana in previous years at tournaments in Ramanathapuram, Bhopal, and Kollam.

Chief minister Hemant Soren celebrated the victory on Twitter, saying, ‘Well-done Daughters! A lot of Congratulations and Johar for registering win defeating Haryana at the 15th Hockey India senior women's hockey championship!'