Odisha Teen Pooja Sahoo Joins Indian Hockey Team
Nineteen-year-old Pooja Sahoo from Odisha has earned her first call-up to the Indian women's hockey team for the Asian Champions Trophy in Bhopal.
Big dreams often start in small places with simple things. Nineteen-year-old defender Pooja Sahoo has just achieved a remarkable goal by earning her maiden call-up to the senior national squad. Hockey India announced her selection on 10 November 2026 for the prestigious Women’s Asian Champions Trophy Bhopal 2026. This thrilling milestone for Pooja Sahoo Indian hockey journey shows how true passion can lead all the way to the top.
The six-nation international competition will take place in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, from 19 to 28 November 2026. Matches will be hosted at the newly built International Sports Complex located in Nathu Barkheda. Defending champions India will face challenging matches against five strong visiting teams: China, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand. The Indian team will open their campaign against Malaysia on 19 November 2026.
What happened?
Pooja Sahoo comes from Kukuda village, situated in the Sundargarh district of Odisha. Long before playing in international stadiums, she fell in love with hockey right on her village grounds. When she was little, she did not have real equipment, so she practiced by hitting balls with handmade bamboo sticks. Her talent caught the eye of a local coach named Dominic Toppo, who kindly encouraged her and handed her a second-hand hockey stick to help her practice properly.
Her family stood strongly behind her sporting ambitions despite having very little money. Her father, Bhikhu Sahu, who is a retired mining company worker, took a loan and borrowed money just to buy Pooja her first proper hockey stick. That loving sacrifice gave young Pooja the tools she needed to chase her sporting dreams with full heart and energy.
Soon, Pooja began formal training to sharpen her skills on the turf. Between 2018 and 2021, she trained at the Sports Training Centre, also known as STC, in Sundargarh. Her steady progress earned her a spot at the prestigious National Centre of Excellence in New Delhi. Step by step, she advanced through junior national training camps, refining her tackling and defending abilities until she was ready for the senior team.
Star midfielder Salima Tete has been named the captain of this 20-member Indian squad. This tournament will be the squad’s first international competition since they won a glittering gold medal at the Asian Games in Japan. The squad also features goalkeepers Bansari Solanki and Bichu Devi Kharibam, while veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia has been rested for this event. Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey and Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne both shared that this home tournament is a fantastic platform for talented young players like Pooja to show their skills to the country.
Why does it matter to you?
Sometimes, we might feel that we lack the fanciest shoes, the best bats, or the latest gadgets to be successful in our hobbies. Pooja Sahoo’s inspiring rise shows us that what you hold in your hands matters much less than what you carry inside your heart. She did not wait for expensive gear to start chasing her dreams; she simply started with a stick cut from village bamboo.
Pooja’s story is also a touching reminder of the quiet sacrifices families make to help children shine. Whether it is waking up early to cook food or saving pennies for coaching, our parents and mentors often go out of their way for us. When you practice your favourite sport or study hard for a test, your steady efforts can reward that faith and turn humble beginnings into incredible triumphs.
Words to know
- Defender: A sports player whose main role is to stop opposing teams from getting close and scoring goals.
- Call-up: An official selection or invitation to join a national sports squad.
- Maiden: A word used to describe the very first time someone achieves or attempts something special.
- Platform: An opportunity or stage that allows people to display their talents and abilities to others.
Did you know?
Sundargarh district in Odisha is famously celebrated across the country as the cradle of Indian hockey because it has produced dozens of international players and captains for both the men’s and women’s national teams.
Think about it
What is a big goal you would like to work towards, even if you currently have very simple tools? How can you help and cheer for a friend or classmate who is trying to learn a new skill?
Quick quiz
What did Pooja Sahoo first use to practice hockey before receiving a proper stick?
- Handmade bamboo sticks
- A tennis racket
- A plastic cricket bat
See the answer
Handmade bamboo sticks
Sources
This story was prepared by the Kids Gazette news desk with the help of AI research and writing tools, using the sources listed above.
