Simdega (Jharkhand), 23 March 2021: Following the success of 11th Hockey India Sub Junior Women National Championship 2021 which witnessed 394 players turn up for their respective teams in the maiden tournament after the Covid-19 pandemic abruptly halted the domestic events in 2020, Hockey Jharkhand under the aegis of Hockey India gears up to host the 11th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship 2021 in Simdega district.
Over the years, Simdega has proven to be a strong hockey belt with several hockey stars emerging from this district. The region continues to groom youngsters with immense potential to don the national colours. However, this is the first time Simdega in Jharkhand has been provided with a unique opportunity to host back-to-back Hockey India National Championships.
The prestigious 11th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship 2021 which begins on 3 April promises to be action-packed with a total of 28 teams vying for top honours including defending Champions Hockey Jharkhand while Hockey Haryana will be looking to make it a sweet double after clinching the recently concluded 11th Hockey India Sub Junior Women National Championship 2021.
For this tournament too, the organisers from Hockey Jharkhand will be paying special emphasis on the SOPs laid out by MHA, MYAS, SAI, Government of Jharkhand as well as Hockey India to ensure players’ safety.
Hockey Jharkhand’s Organising Secretary Bijay Shankar Singh said: “It was very encouraging to receive positive feedback from most of the participating teams who took part in the 11th Hockey India Sub Junior Women National Championship 2021. We had ensured all protocols and SOPs were followed to the T and we also received great support from the Government of Jharkhand. It was this support that ensured we conducted a successful tournament, and we look forward to creating the same environment for the players who will arrive in Simdega for 11th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship 2021 in April.”
“Similar to the previous event, we are planning to live stream all the matches from this tournament too. We are very grateful to Hockey India for providing us with this opportunity to host. This opportunity has lifted the profile of Simdega district in the international level as the Finals of the 11th Hockey India Sub Junior Women National Championship 2021 was also streamed on FIH platform watch.hockey. Hosting two back-to-back tournaments here will also play a major role in inspiring young players from this region to take up the sport and make a career out of it,” added Singh.
Apart from several SOPs laid out by Hockey India, all athletes and officials need to have the Aaroya Setu app on their devices. They must also follow physical distancing measures at all locations, except athletes on the field. A Covid-19 task force will also be constituted by the organising committee to ensure the implementation of the protocols issued by the MHA and the respective state government. Hockey Jharkhand have also appointed Dr Vivek Kishore and Dr Pankaj Kumar as Hygiene Officers who will be present at the venue to participants’ well-being.
