Bhubaneswar: The third day of the 73rd All India Police Hockey Championship at Kalinga Stadium turned out to be a thrilling affair with high-voltage clashes and dominant performances lighting up the turf.
A total of seven matches were played on Wednesday, showcasing the growing competitiveness and passion for hockey among police teams from across the country.
The day kicked off with a one-sided encounter where Uttarakhand Police crushed Chandigarh Police with a convincing 9-0 victory. The momentum carried into the next match, where ITBP displayed their attacking prowess to outclass Rajasthan Police 8-3.
Manipur Police continued their winning run by defeating Jharkhand Police 3-1 in a well-contested third match. In the fourth game of the day, West Bengal Police got the better of Chhattisgarh Police with a solid 6-3 margin.
A standout performance came from the SSB Women’s team in the fifth match. They delivered a spectacular display of skill and coordination, routing Gujarat Women Police with a staggering 17-0 win.
The sixth match featured the host team, Odisha Police, who were narrowly edged out by Uttar Pradesh Police in a tightly fought contest that ended 2-1 in favour of UP.
The final match of the day turned into a goal fest as Jammu & Kashmir Police dominated Gujarat Police, walking away with an 18-0 victory—one of the biggest wins of the tournament so far.
The matches were not just about competition; they also saw enthusiastic participation from top bureaucrats and senior police officials who visited the stadium to cheer for the players and boost their morale.
Among the dignitaries present were Principal Secretary, Higher Education Department Aravind Agrawal; Principal Secretary, Finance Department Saswat Mishra; Director of Vigilance Yeshwant Jethwa, Additional Director General of Police (Law & Order) Sanjay Kumar; Additional DGP (Headquarters) and Vice-Chairman, Organising Committee Dayal Gangwar; Additional DGP (Armed Police) and Vice-Chairman, Organising Committee Rajesh Kumar; Police Commissioner (Bhubaneswar-Cuttack) Devdutta Singh, and IG (Training) Anup Kumar Sahu, who also serves as the Organising Committee Secretary.
Their presence added to the excitement and energy of the event as the championship continues to build momentum, offering a unique platform to blend athleticism with discipline and service.
