India-Australia U-18 Hockey Series Kicks Off in Bhopal on This Day; Junior Teams Arrive at Raja Bhoj Airport
The Indian and Australian junior teams arrived on Monday in the Madhya Pradesh capital city of Bhopal for the India vs. Australia Under-18 Hockey Series, which is being organized in Bhopal under the aegis of the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare, Madhya Pradesh.
At Raja Bhoj Airport, the players and coaching staff from both nations received a warm welcome from officials of the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare. Extending their best wishes in a traditional manner, the officials expressed their hope for a brilliant performance from the players.
This international hockey series is scheduled to take place from May 15 to May 20, 2026, at the Udhav Das Mehta (Bhai Ji) Central Center in Bhopal. The series will feature head-to-head clashes between the Indian and Australian Under-18 boys and girls teams. This tournament is considered to be of immense significance in the context of preparations for the upcoming Asia Cup, as it will provide young players with valuable international-level experience.
Exciting Matches Await in Bhopal
As part of the series, the boys category matches will be played on May 15, May 17, May 18, and May 20. Similarly, the girls category matches will also be held on these very dates. All matches will take place at the Udhav Das Mehta (Bhai Ji) Central Center, Bhopal.
Players from MP Hockey Academy to Represent India
A total of 10 players from the Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy, Bhopal, have been selected to represent the Indian team in this international series. The boys team includes Ayush Rajak, Ansh Bahutra, Karan Gautam, Avi Manikpuri, Siddharth Ben, and Gazi Khan.
Meanwhile, Sneha Dawde, Mahak Parihar, Nammi Geethasri, and Nausheen Naz will represent India in the girls team. A palpable sense of excitement is evident among the players regarding the opportunity to play on their home turf.
Sarang greets
Vishwas Sarang, the Minister for Sports, and Youth Welfare of Madhya Pradesh, extended his best wishes to all the players and coaches, stating that this series is a matter of pride for the state. He affirmed that the Government of Madhya Pradesh is continuously working to provide world-class facilities to athletes, and that such events will inspire young players to deliver stellar performances on the international stage.
U-18 Asia Cup to be Held in Japan at the End of May
The U-18 Asia Cup 2026 is scheduled to be held at the end of this month in Kakamigahara, Japan. According to the calendars of Hockey India and the International Hockey Federation (FIH), this tournament will feature the top junior teams from Asia and is regarded as a crucial platform for young players to advance to the senior level.