Hockey India names 15-player squad for sub-junior national camp ahead of Hockey’s Asian Championship 2026

Hockey India has named 15 players for the sub-junior national camp at Panjab University, Chandigarh, ahead of the inaugural Hockey5s Asian Championship 2026 in Muscat. The squad, guided by Sardar Singh, prepares after winning gold at the U-18 Asia Cup

Hyderabad: Hockey India has announced names of the 15 players who will be part of the sub-junior men’s national camp in preparation for the inaugural men’s Youth Hockey’s Asian Championship 2026, set to take place in Muscat, Oman, from July 20 to 25.

The camp is being conducted from July 7 to 18 at Panjab University, Sector 14, Chandigarh, where the country’s promising young players will train under the guidance of coach and former India captain Sardar Singh.

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All 15 players in the group were also part of the Indian squad that featured in the recently-concluded U18 Men’s Asia Cup 2026 where the team clinched the gold medal after defeating hosts Japan 4-1 in the final.

The camp further highlights Hockey India’s vision to strengthen the U-18 program to harness young talent in the country before it moves up the ranks to the junior and senior national teams.

The two-week camp is designed to introduce players to the tactical and technical demands of Hockey5s while sharpening their overall game through structured training sessions.

Hockey India is thankful to Panjab University for its support in hosting the national camp and for providing world-class facilities that will enable the players to prepare in the best possible environment ahead of the tournament.

Panjab University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor (Dr.) Renu Vig, visited the national camp, interacting with the players and conveying her best wishes as they began their preparations.

The team’s coach Sardar Singh said, “This is a unique opportunity for these young players to represent India in a new format of the game at such a big level. Our objective over the next two weeks is to help the players understand the requirements of Hockey5s while continuing to strengthen the fundamentals that will benefit them throughout their careers. I would also like to thank Panjab University for extending excellent support in hosting this camp.”

Players: 

Karan Gautam, Arman Soreng, Sawan Kumar, Ansh Bahutra, Arshdeep Singh, Ketan Kushwaha, Shahrukh Ali, Rahul Yadav, Romit Pal, Ashish Tani Purti, Akashdeep, Avi Manikpuri, Siddharth Ben, Prahalad Rajbhar and Ayush Rajak.