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Manipur & Mizoram give a new identity to hockey in the North-East

Manipur and Mizoram produced stellar performances in the 14th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship 2024.

By Soumya | Mar 23, 2024 | 3 Min Read

In the heartland of Northeast India, where pristine green landscapes meet vibrant cultures, a silent revolution is brewing on the hockey fields. Manipur and Mizoram, have become the torchbearers of this revolution. Both states are known for their rich traditions and majestic mountains. However, now these two states have recently gained notoriety for showcasing their mettle in the 14th Hockey India Senior Women’s National Championship.

The journey of Hockey Mizoram and Manipur Hockey in the ongoing marquee domestic championship has been remarkable. It also sends a strong message about the development of the “India ka Game” in far corners of the country.

Impressive performance of Manipur and Mizoram

Both teams defied the odds and expectations thereby reaching the Quarter-Finals. It also reflected strongly on the unwavering dedication and untapped potential that exists in the Northeastern states. This spirited performance has fostered a new era of hockey excellence in the region.

Hockey Mizoram’s campaign was nothing short of spectacular. Backed by impressive performances from India striker Lalremsiami, Lalrinpuii and H Lalruatfeli, Mizoram registered emphatic victories over Himachal (10-0) and Rajasthan (20-2). However, it was their showdown against Punjab that truly etched their name in the annals of Indian hockey history.

Against all predictions, the hill state surprised a dominant team of Punjab with a thumping victory of 4-2. Although they narrowly missed the semi-final berth, succumbing to a close 1-2 defeat against Jharkhand, their journey was a testament to resilience and skill.

“We were confident in our abilities. Despite being relatively new to the national stage, we believed in our team’s potential. Our players knew the significance of each match, especially in securing a spot in the Quarter-Finals. Similarly, we approached the game against Punjab with determination, knowing that a strong performance could lead us to victory, and eventually, our belief paid off as we emerged triumphant, surprising many with our tenacity and never-give-up spirit,” said Mizoram Coach Lal Rothuami.

Routhami added, “The tournament served as a valuable learning experience for our team, providing us with insights into our strengths and areas for improvement. Next time we will aim to at least make it to the final of the tournament.”

Emerging stars of Indian Hockey from Manipur

Manipur Hockey featured budding Indian stars like Bichu Devi Kharibam and Suman Devi Thoudam. On the other hand, they were backed by their talismanic captain Lily Chanu Mayengbam. All these players left an indelible mark on the tournament with their stellar performances.

Dominating their group stage encounters with commanding wins over Dadra & Nagar Haveli And Daman & Diu (12-0), Hockey Karnataka (3-0), and Uttarakhand (11-2), they showcased their dominance and tactical acumen. Despite a closely-fought battle against Maharashtra in the Quarter-Finals, ending in a 2-1 loss, their journey was nothing less than inspiring.

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