LUCKNOW, Aug. 8 -- It was a celebration time for Uttar Pradesh's hockey fraternity as four players from the state earned selection to India's junior hockey squads for the upcoming Junior Asia Cup in China, scheduled from August 30 to September 13. Ashu Maurya and Ajit Yadav from Ghazipur will don the Indian colours in the men's side, while Purnima Yadav and Madhu of Varanasi have been named in the women's squad - a development that underlines Uttar Pradesh's rising influence in the national hockey landscape. The quartet's inclusion continues a recent run of strong representation from the state. In quick succession, five UP players featured in India's Five-a-Side hockey team, and another five were part of the Indian line-up that clinched the Under-18 Asia Cup in Japan. The latest selections reinforce a pattern as Uttar Pradesh is steadily supplying talent to national teams across formats and age groups. Ajit Yadav's journey typifies that progression. A Ghazipur native, Ajit sharpened his game at Guru Gobind Singh Sports College on Kursi Road in Lucknow. He entered the national junior camp roughly a year ago and, through sustained high-level performances, has now secured a place in the Junior Asia Cup squad. His pathway echoes a family commitment to the sport - his elder brother Ajay also trained at the same sports college. Madhu's rise highlights Lucknow's role as a regional training hub. Originally from Varanasi, she developed her skills while residing at the hockey hostel in Lucknow, where exposure to modern techniques and expert coaching helped elevate her game. Successes in both junior and senior national tournaments propelled her into the national camp and ultimately into the junior team. Purnima Yadav's selection likewise reflects the spread of development centres across the state. Trained at Gorakhpur Sports College, she earned national recognition through consistent performances in domestic competitions. Ashu Maurya's selection, alongside these peers, further strengthens Uttar Pradesh's contribution to India's junior setup. RP Singh, president of UP Hockey, welcomed the announcements, saying the selections are evidence of the state's growing clout in Indian hockey. "Initially, five players from Uttar Pradesh were selected for the Under-18 Asia Cup-winning Indian team, followed by five players being chosen for the Five-a-Side team," he said on Friday....