Hockey India Names Sub-Junior Men’s and Women’s Squads for Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship Muscat 2026

Hockey India has announced the Indian Sub-Junior Men's and Women's squads for the inaugural Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship Muscat 2026, scheduled to be held in Muscat, Oman, from July 20 to 25, 2026.

The tournament will feature seven teams each in the men's and women's competitions and will serve as the official Asian qualifier for the inaugural FIH U18 Youth Hockey5s World Cup, making it a crucial event for the continent's emerging hockey talent.

India Set for Strong Challenge in Muscat

The men's competition will feature hosts Oman alongside India, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh. In the women's category, India will compete against Pakistan, Oman, China, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Iran.

The Indian squads were selected from 15-member training camps currently underway in Chandigarh for the men's team and Bhopal for the women's team.

Indian Sub-Junior Women's Squad

The 10-member women's squad will be captained by Sweety Kujur.

• Goalkeepers: Khili Kumari, Mahak Parihar
• Defenders: Nilam Topno, Kiran Ekka
• Midfielders: Diya, Pushpa Manjhi, Shruti Kumari
• Forwards: Nousheen Naz, Sandeepa Kumari, Sweety Kujur (Captain)

Indian Sub-Junior Men's Squad

Ketan Kushwaha will lead the 10-member men's team in the championship.

• Goalkeepers: Sawan Kumar, Ayush Rajak
• Defenders: Karan Gautam, Ashish Tani Purti
• Midfielders: Rahul Yadav, Romit Pal
• Forwards: Ketan Kushwaha (Captain), Prahalad Rajbhar, Arshdeep Singh, Shahrukh Ali

Coaches Confident Ahead of Tournament

Sub-Junior Women's coach Rani said the selected squad has the right balance of skill, speed and character to compete at the continental level.

"We have selected a balanced squad with a good mix of skill, speed and character. The players have worked extremely hard during the preparatory camp and have shown great commitment to improving every aspect of their game.

Hockey5s is a fast-paced format that demands quick decision-making, adaptability and high energy, and we have focused on these areas throughout our preparations. This tournament will be a valuable platform for our young players to test themselves against some of the best teams in Asia. We are confident they will embrace the challenge, play fearless hockey and represent India with pride."

Sub-Junior Men's coach Sardar Singh expressed confidence in his team's preparations and believes the players are ready to perform on the international stage.

"The squad has earned its place through consistent performances and a strong work ethic during the training camp. Hockey5s is an exciting format that rewards speed, creativity and composure under pressure, and the boys have adapted well to its unique demands.

Our emphasis has been on building a cohesive unit that can execute our plans with confidence while playing an attacking brand of hockey. This championship is an excellent opportunity for these young players to gain international exposure and showcase their potential. We are looking forward to a strong performance and hope to make the country proud."

Road to the FIH U18 Youth Hockey5s World Cup

The inaugural Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship carries significant importance as it will determine the Asian teams qualifying for the inaugural FIH U18 Youth Hockey5s World Cup. With several of the continent's strongest youth teams in action, the tournament is expected to provide a competitive platform for the next generation of hockey stars.

(Inputs from Press Release)