73rd All-India Police Hockey C’ship 2025 launched with a grand curtain raiser

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Police kicked off the 73rd edition of the All-India Police Hockey Championship 2025 with an energetic and ceremonial curtain-raiser at Police Bhawan in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.
Organized under the auspices of the All-India Police Sports Control Board, this event marks the official commencement of one of the most prestigious tournaments in the Indian Police Sports Calendar.
Director General of Police, Odisha, Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, expressed pride in hosting the championship for the second time.
“It is a great honour to once again welcome teams from across India to our state. This tournament embodies discipline, teamwork, dedication, and excellence — values that deeply resonate with the police force,” he said.
The championship, which runs from April 7 to 15 at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar, will feature 48 matches between 26 men’s teams and 9 women’s teams. Participating teams represent various Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), including CISF, CRPF, ITBP, BSF, and SSB. Teams from 21 states across the country will compete, bringing a rich tradition of competitive spirit and camaraderie to the event.
A highlight of the evening was the unveiling of the championship’s official mascot, ASHA. Inspired by the true story of an injured elephant calf rescued by Odisha’s Forest Department and currently being nurtured at the Nandankanan Zoo, ASHA embodies resilience, compassion, and Odisha’s commitment to wildlife conservation. A short video detailing her story deeply moved the audience, reinforcing the values that underpin the games.
To ensure the tournament’s integrity and professionalism, referees and technical officials appointed by Hockey India will oversee the matches. Several international-level players will also participate, guaranteeing top-tier action on the field.