LUCKNOW, April 16 -- Following their golden success in the Sub-Junior National Men Hockey Championship at Rajgir, Uttar Pradesh hockey are witnessing a golden surge, with seven of their brightest young talents Shahrukh Ali, Ketan Kushwaha, Prahlad Rajbhar, Nitish Yadav, Romit Pal, Karan Dhanuk, and Rahul Yadav earning spots in the Indian national camp. As per Hockey India, these seven are part of the 40 probables in the national camp as the Indian team will be participating in the Men's U-18 Asia Cup Hockey Tournament, scheduled to be held in Kakamigahara, Japan, from May 29 to June 6. Indian probables for the tournament will undergo a national coaching camp in Bhopal starting April 19 under coach Sardar Singh following the 16th Hockey India Sub-Junior National Championship. Besides these seven, four women's too from Uttar Pradesh, including Divya Yadav, Akansha Mitra, Vaishali Sen and Arika Kumari (all from Gorakhpur Sports College) have been selected among 40 probables for the Indian team, which will take part in the Women's U18 Asia Cup being held at Kakamigahara, Japan from May 20 to June 6. Rani Rampla will be the chief coach of the team. In fact, the selection of 11 players, including four women, from Uttar Pradesh in the national camps is a remarkable feat, which underscores UP's rising dominance in junior hockey as India gears up for the Under-18 Asia Cup in Japan next month. These selections also signal a promising pipeline for Indian hockey's future, blending raw grit with polished skills honed on UP's turf. Hockey in Uttar Pradesh has long simmered beneath the radar, overshadowed by cricket's frenzy, yet it pulses with untapped vigor. From the dusty fields of Lucknow to the academies in Ghazipur and Varanasi, the state has nurtured a generation of players who thrive on resilience. The Uttar Pradesh Hockey, under leaders like former India captain RP Singh, has ramped up grassroots programs, partnering with SAI centers and private academies. Tournaments like the UP State Junior Championship and regional events have become talent factories, spotting gems early. Shahrukh Ali, the speedy forward from Lucknow, dazzles with his drag-flick prowess, often drawing comparisons to seasoned pros. Ketan Kushwaha, a tenacious midfielder, excels in midfield battles, his vision and stamina key in transitions. Prahlad Rajbhar, the burly defender from Ghazipur, anchors the backline with bone-crunching tackles. Niyish Yadav, brings flair as a winger, his quick releases troubling keepers. Romit Pal commands the circle as a striker, while Karan Dhanuk and Rahul Yadav, both dynamic halfbacks add steel and creativity. These players didn't stumble during the national championship at Rajgir last week, where Uttar Pradesh crushed Madhya Pradesh 5-2 in the final and regained the title, they've toiled through grueling trials. Selected from the national U-18 probables pool after intense evaluations, they now train under coaches like Sardar Singh, fine-tuning for Asia's fiercest juniors. "It's really an honour for Uttar Pradesh Hockey that as many as 11 players from the state have made it to the national camp. For the last many years, UP Hockey has been producing talents for Indian teams in all age categories and I hope that most of the boys would make the cut when the Indian team for the Asia Cup will be selected finally," UP hockey chief, RP Singh said on Wednesday. UP Hockey's secretary and chief coach, Rajneesh Mishra lauded his players for a superb show at the sub-junior nationals recently. "We have a structured set up of training here in Lucknow and I am happy that boys could do what they were required to do at Rajgir last week,' For Indian hockey, starved of consistent junior success post its Tokyo Olympic bronze, this UP contingent is a lifeline....