Bhubaneswar, April 6: The 73rd edition of the All-India Police Hockey Championship 2025 was officially launched with a spirited and ceremonial curtain-raiser event at the Police Bhawan in Bhubaneswar. Organized under the auspices of the All-India Police Sports Control Board, the event marked the commencement of one of the most prestigious tournaments in the Indian Police Sporting Calendar.
During the occasion, Odisha’s Director General of Police, Yogesh Bahadur Khurania expressed pride in the state hosting the championship for the second time. “We are honored to once again welcome teams from across India to our soil. This tournament embodies values like discipline, teamwork, dedication, and excellence—qualities that resonate deeply with the police force,” he stated.
The championship will be held from April 7th to April 15th at the internationally renowned Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar. A total of 48 matches will take place, with 26 men’s teams and 9 women’s teams competing. Teams from various Central Armed Police Forces, including the CISF, CRPF, ITBP, BSF, and SSB, have arrived in Bhubaneswar, bringing with them a rich tradition of competitive spirit and camaraderie. This year, teams from 21 states will participate.
One of the most anticipated moments 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 now nurtured at Nandan Kanan Zoo, ASHA symbolizes resilience, compassion, and Odisha’s commitment to wildlife conservation. A short video narrating her story moved many in the audience, highlighting the deeper values that underpin the tournament.
“ASHA is more than just a mascot—she represents Odisha’s spirit of strength and sustainability,” said Shri Khurania. “We hope ASHA will inspire every player and spectator throughout this championship.”
To ensure high standards of fairness and professionalism, the tournament will be officiated by referees and technical officials appointed by Hockey India. The presence of several international-level players further elevates the competitive edge of the championship, promising exciting, top-tier action on the field.
The evening concluded with a media interaction session, setting the tone for an exhilarating week of hockey in the heart of Odisha.
As the tournament kicks off at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium, all eyes will be on Bhubaneswar— a city that continues to champion the cause of Indian hockey, both on and off the field.
Present at the event were ADGP (Headquarters) and Vice Chairman of AIPHC-2025, Dayal Gangwar, ADGP (SAP) and Vice Chairman of AIPHC-2025, Rajesh Kumar, IGP (Training) and Organizing Secretary of AIPHC-2025, Anup Kumar Sahoo, along with Team Managers, Captains, Observers from the All-India Police Sports Control Board, and senior officers of the Odisha Police.
