Una to host national hockey tourney next year, schedule to be declared soon

Hockey Himachal president Ranveer Singh Nikka, who is also BJP legislator from Nurpur, today said that the state would host the Masters National Hockey Championship-2026 for the first time. The event would be held in Una district before March 31, 2026, and a detailed schedule would be announced soon.

Nikka said that the championship would be a milestone as it would bring a national-level competition to Himachal for the first time. Players from across the country would participate in it, providing the state athletes with an opportunity to showcase their skills. He added that hosting such an event would inspire young players and give momentum to sports in the state.

Earlier, the Hockey Himachal at a meeting in Dharamsala in Kangra district held discussions focused on preparations for the Masters National Hockey Championship, 2026. The members reviewed preliminary requirements and outlined steps to ensure the successful conduct of the championship. The meeting also finalised plans and dates for the remaining state-level competitions scheduled for 2025.

Under the approved calendar, the Junior Women’s State Championship would be held in Nurpur, Men’s Senior Championship in Mandi and the Women’s Senior Championship in Hamirpur.

Nikka said that the hockey players, who bring honour to the state, should be given recognition and government jobs without delay. He added that he would raise the matter with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu during the ongoing winter session of the Vidhan Sabha.

He said that many states, including Punjab and Haryana, were providing jobs to sportspersons, particularly hockey players, to ensure financial security and a supportive sporting environment and Himachal should follow them to encourage its players. “It is our national game and the state must recognise it in true spirit in the interest of our players,” he added.