Bhubaneswar: After their Successful triumph in the Junior Championship, Sundargarh claimed the first Championship title of the Hockey Association of Odisha Sub-Junior Men Hockey Championships 2022 by beating KIIT/KISS University 6-1.
Dhenkanal won the bronze medal by beating Sambalpur 6-1 in the 3rd/4th place match.
Over 500 players from 29 teams participated in the championship. The tournament also saw the participation of players from 25 districts across Odisha which is unprecedented in Odisha Hockey History.
The final day also saw the distribution of some individual awards.
1. Best Goalkeeper – Vivek Lakra, Sundargarh
2. Best Defender – Rohit Kullu, Dhenkanal
3. Best Mid-Fielder – Sanjiba Majhi, KIIT/KISS University
4. Best Forward – Deepak Pradhan, Sundargarh
5. Player of the Tournament – Bilkan Oram, Sundargarh
Guests for the finals included Lok Sabha MP and KIIT University Founder Achyuta Samanta, Hockey Association of Odisha president Dilip Tirkey, hockey stars Lajrus Barla, Roshan Minz, officials from Sports and Youth Services Department Sailendra Kumar Jena, Joint Secretary to Government, and David John, Director Hockey.
Tirkey said, “Congratulations to Sundargarh for becoming the first champions of the Hockey Association of Odisha Sub-Junior Men Hockey Championships. They have added to the many accolades that Sundargarh has provided for Odisha Hockey. We will continue to host such tournaments that can enable players to showcase their talent and help develop the game.”
The selected players from the tournament will be called for a State Hockey Camp that would make up the Odisha State team competing in the Hockey India National Championships in 2023.
