Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, reflecting on the success of the competition, emphasized the growing enthusiasm for sports in Ranchi. He stated, “You are seeing the excitement for sports in Ranchi is ever-growing. The Hockey India League, which concluded today, went on for 12-14 days. The world’s best women’s hockey players came here to play, and they made their game more exciting. I have said this earlier as well, that the government is very serious about sports this time.”

The final match was an intense battle between two strong sides, but it was Odisha Warriors who triumphed thanks to two crucial goals from Rutuja Dadaso Pisal. The game was a thrilling contest from start to finish, with both teams showing incredible skill and determination.

Rutuja opened the scoring for Odisha in the second quarter, capitalizing on a deflection from a Victoria Sauze pass to loft the ball over Soorma goalkeeper Savita. However, Soorma quickly responded with a penalty corner converted by Penny Squibb to level the score at 1-1. The teams fought fiercely throughout the match, with Soorma creating several scoring opportunities, but Odisha’s defense stood strong.

In the final quarter, with the match hanging in the balance, Rutuja once again became the hero for the Warriors. On a counterattack, she pounced on a loose ball in the circle and sent it past Savita’s legs to give Odisha a 2-1 lead. Despite Soorma’s best efforts in the final minutes, Odisha’s defense held firm, and the Warriors clinched the title.

The final was a testament to the high level of play, with both teams showcasing their skill, speed, and tactical intelligence. With the success of the inaugural edition, the Women’s Hockey India League has certainly set a new standard for women’s sports in India.

The victory marked a historic achievement for the Odisha Warriors and added to the growing legacy of women’s hockey in the country. The league’s success also reflects the increasing investment and support for women’s sports in India, with the state government of Jharkhand demonstrating a clear commitment to nurturing athletic talent and bringing international competitions to the region.

As the tournament wrapped up, Chief Minister Hemant Soren expressed his satisfaction, stating, “This event is a clear indication that sports are becoming an integral part of Ranchi’s identity, and we are looking forward to more such events in the future.”

The Women’s Hockey India League is poised to become a mainstay in the country’s sports calendar, offering an exciting platform for players to showcase their talent and for fans to experience world-class competition. With the growing excitement for sports in Ranchi, it’s clear that the future of women’s hockey in India is brighter than ever.

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Oza’s stellar contributions with both bat and ball saw her stand out as one of the finest cricketers in the Associate ranks over the past calendar year. As the driving force behind UAE’s success, she played an instrumental role in several major tournaments, leaving an indelible mark on her team’s campaign.

The year kicked off with a bang for Oza and the UAE squad, as they triumphed in the Asian Cricket Council Women’s Premier Cup. Oza finished as the leading scorer of the tournament and was named Player of the Tournament, a testament to her consistency and poise under pressure. She would go on to replicate her form later in the year, delivering a series of high-impact performances in the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier, where UAE made it to the knockout stages.

One of Oza’s standout moments came during the Qualifier, where her brilliant 66* from just 39 balls helped her side overcome the Netherlands, securing a top-two finish in a competitive Group B. Her leadership was again on display in the semi-finals, where Oza almost engineered an unforgettable upset, scoring 66 from 44 balls against Sri Lanka – the eventual champions of the tournament.

Though her batting prowess earned her the most attention in 2024, Oza’s skills with the ball were just as vital. She took 16 wickets at an impressive average of 19.68, showcasing her off-breaks as an important weapon for the UAE. She maintained a solid economy rate of 5.41, further underlining her well-rounded abilities as an all-rounder.

With a total of 711 runs in 2024, Oza’s name appeared near the top of the global run-scorer charts, with only Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu (720 runs) and India’s Smriti Mandhana (763 runs) outpacing her. Oza’s remarkable consistency was evident as she reached double figures in 19 of her 20 innings, including one century and four half-centuries. She finished the year with an average of 41.82 and a striking rate of 111.79, making her one of the most dynamic batters in the game.

Oza’s crowning moment came in the Women’s Premier Cup, where she produced a magnificent 114* off just 69 balls against Oman. Her blistering knock included 16 boundaries, and it was pivotal in UAE’s dominant 148-run victory. This was her third century in international cricket and her highest score of an impressive year.

Esha Oza’s performance in 2024 is a testament to her leadership, skill, and determination, and her achievement of being named ICC Women’s Associate Cricketer of the Year is well-deserved. As she continues to lead the UAE women’s cricket team to greater heights, her contributions will undoubtedly inspire future generations of cricketers in the region.

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The event was launched with a bang as colorful fireworks lit up the sky, marking the beginning of a new chapter in Indian women’s sports. The inaugural HIL brought together four teams: Delhi HG Pipers, Odisha Warriors, Ranchi Radh Bengal Tigers, and Surma Hockey Club. The captains of these teams—Neha Goyal, Navneet Kaur, Salima Tete, and Udita—were joined by the Chief Guest, Kalpana Murmu, the MLA of Gandei, to unveil the official trophy of the tournament.

Several prominent figures attended the event, including Agriculture Minister Shilpi Neha Tirki, Minority Affairs Minister Hafizul Hasan, MP Dr. Mahua Maji, MLAs Sukhdev Bhagat and CP Singh, Suresh Baitha, Hockey India President Dilip Tirki, and General Secretary Bholanath Singh. Representatives from the Austria Hockey Federation were also present to show their support.

A Bright Future for Women’s Hockey

In her speech, MLA Kalpana Murmu expressed her confidence that women’s hockey will reach new heights, much like the moon that shines brightly in the sky. She emphasized that the HIL would provide an opportunity for young girls, particularly from smaller towns and villages, to chase their dreams of playing hockey. Highlighting Hockey India’s commitment to empowering women in sports, she stated that this league was a step forward in that direction.

Kalpana also encouraged the audience to cheer for their daughters and sisters, recognizing the immense hard work they put into reaching the field. She predicted that the HIL would grow in the coming years, with teams from across India participating in the future editions.

A Dazzling Display of Fireworks and Traditional Dance

The celebrations continued with a stunning light and fireworks display as Kalpana Murmu officially launched the HIL at precisely 8:27 PM. The stadium was set ablaze with vibrant colors as artists performed various traditional dances of Jharkhand, including Chhau, Damkach, Jhumar, and Santali. The dance parade, set to the anthem “We will play, we will win,” pumped up the crowd, who responded with a thunderous round of applause.

Empowering Women Through Light and Music

The cultural program also featured a striking beam light show, lasting about an hour, which focused on the theme of women’s empowerment and the increasing involvement of women in hockey. The light show included a tribute to India’s tricolor and changed colors as the song “Come on India, Keep your head high” by Sukhwinder Singh played, signaling a sense of pride and unity. The audience was also treated to a visual journey of Indian hockey, showcasing its history from its founding in 1925, to the six Olympic medals won in 1928, and the 30 Olympic medals India has earned to date.

Energetic Musical Performances

To further excite the crowd, Indian Idol star Radha Srivastava took the stage and delivered an electrifying performance. Her energetic renditions of popular songs like “Pighla De Janjeerein,” “Kar Har Maidan Fateh,” and “Mora 18 Saal Ho Gelo Re” kept the audience thoroughly entertained. Radha’s rendition of her iconic hit “Chhaniya Hai Saiyan Silpat Pe Pisi” added an extra layer of excitement, as the crowd cheered enthusiastically.

The event’s host, Sahil Vidoria, kept the energy high with his engaging commentary, frequently shouting “Johar Ranchi!” to rally the audience and keep their spirits lifted throughout the evening.

The inaugural ceremony of the Women’s Hockey India League was not only a significant event for Indian women’s sports but also marked Ranchi’s role as a key city in hosting such a monumental occasion. This launch has set the stage for what promises to be a bright future for women in hockey and sports across the nation.

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Match Highlights

The day opened with a nail-biting Pool E clash between Hockey Chandigarh and Kerala Hockey. Chandigarh edged past Kerala 3-2, with Tamanna scoring the decisive goal in the 60th minute. Earlier, Simran (44′) and Annu (56′) contributed to Chandigarh’s tally, while Dipanjali Tirkey (42′) and Parameswari Pinapothula (48′) scored for Kerala.

In another Pool E fixture, Hockey Mizoram showcased exceptional dominance, defeating Hockey Arunachal 11-0. Mizoram’s captain, Laltlanchhungi, led the charge with four goals (18′, 30′, 44′, 55′), supported by a formidable performance from Vanlalrinhlui, who netted a hat trick (1′, 52′, 58′).

Pool F saw a defensive stalemate between Hockey Delhi and Hockey Bihar, ending in a goalless draw.

In Pool H, Hockey Madhya Pradesh overpowered Hockey Andhra Pradesh with an emphatic 11-1 victory. Madhya Pradesh’s captain, Krishna Sharma (30′, 53′), and Parmar Ronak (4′, 60′) led the scoring with two goals each. Andhra Pradesh captain Kuppa Tulasi (22′) managed to score a consolation goal for her side.

Hockey Haryana delivered a commanding performance in Pool A, defeating Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu Hockey 9-1. Haryana’s captain, Supriya, shone with a brace (4′, 13′), alongside Anjani (20′, 22′) and Diya (34′, 48′). Rashi Singh (30′) scored the sole goal for Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu.

Finally, in a closely contested Pool G match, Hockey Maharashtra and Hockey Punjab ended with a 2-2 draw. Goals from Sanna (12′) and Maskeenpreet Kaur (48′) kept Punjab ahead until Maharashtra equalized with strikes from Gunjan Baviskar (29′) and Anvi Rawat (49′).

Looking Ahead

With teams pushing for a strong finish in their respective pools, the competition continues to intensify. The fifth day promises more high-octane action as young hockey stars vie for glory at the national stage.

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