League phase of the 83rd All India Railway Men’s Hockey Championship concludes at RCF; Rail Coach Factory, qualify for the Knockout Stage

Kapurthala, February 23, 2026: The league phase of the 83rd All India Railway Men’s Hockey Championship, organized at Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala, concluded successfully today. A total of nine railway teams from across the country participated in the championship, and high-quality hockey was witnessed during the league matches. In this prestigious national-level hockey tournament, several Olympians and international-level players showcased their exceptional sporting talent.
The participating teams were divided into two groups. Group ‘B’ comprised Northern Railway, New Delhi; Central Railway, Mumbai; Integral Coach Factory, Chennai; and Eastern Railway, Kolkata. Group ‘D’ included Western Railway, Mumbai; South East Central Railway, Bilaspur; Banaras Locomotive Works, Banaras; Southern Railway, Chennai; and the host team Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala.
During the six-day league phase, a total of 16 matches were played. From Group ‘B’, Northern Railway, New Delhi and Central Railway, Mumbai qualified for the knockout stage, while from Group ‘D’, Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala and Western Railway, Mumbai secured their places in the knockout round. The final match of the league phase was played today between RCF, Kapurthala and Banaras Locomotive Works, Banaras, in which the RCF team registered a 7–0 victory.
The second part of the league phase of the championship was organized at Ranchi, where nine railway teams also participated. From there as well, the top four teams qualified for the knockout stage. The knockout phase of the championship will be held from 27 February 2026 to 02 March 2026 at Modern Coach Factory, Rae Bareli, where a total of eight qualified teams will compete for the championship title.
During the championship, Ajay Nandan, General Manager, RCF, visited the venue to watch the match. He encouraged the players and congratulated the RCF Sports Association and participating teams for the successful conduct of the event. During the event, K. S. Asla, President, RCF Sports Association, along with association officials, a large number of sports enthusiasts, and spectators were present.
The matches were played at RCF’s modern astro-turf hockey stadium, where players were provided with excellent sports facilities. All teams displayed outstanding playing skills, team spirit, and sportsmanship, making the competition exciting and engaging. Officials and players from the Railway Board appreciated the excellent arrangements and warm hospitality provided by RCF Kapurthala. The smooth conduct of the matches reflects RCF’s strong commitment to sports and its excellent organizational capability.