Ranchi: The state-level Jawaharlal Nehru Hockey Competition 2026-27 began in Ranchi on Saturday, with 43 teams from 16 districts competing in three categories. Organised by the Jharkhand Education Project Council, the three-day tournament will conclude on Monday.Matches are being played at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Morabadi and the CM School of Excellence in Bariatu. School players are competing in the under-15 boys, under-17 boys and under-17 girls categories.Kiran Kumari Pasi, director of women, child development and social security, was the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony. Shivendra Nath Dubey, treasurer of the Jharkhand Olympic Association, Rajnish Kumar, CEO of Hockey Jharkhand, and Michael Lal, associate vice-president of Hockey Jharkhand, were also present.The opening ceremony featured a march past by teams from the participating districts. Sub-junior Asian hockey player Neelam Topno administered the sportsmanship oath.Addressing the players, Pasi said school-level competitions gave young athletes an opportunity to hone their skills and progress to higher levels. State programme officer Dhirsen A Soreng said such tournaments helped identify and nurture hockey talent at the grassroots level.On the opening day, Lohardaga defeated West Singhbhum 3-2, while Ramgarh beat Dhanbad 1-0 in the U-15 boys. In the U-17 girls category, Khunti defeated Latehar 13-0 and West Singhbhum beat Dhanbad 10-0. In the U-17 boys category, Ranchi defeated Lohardaga 2-0, while Gumla beat East Singhbhum 7-0.
