Jarkhar Academy emerge hockey champs

Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, December 25

Jarkhar Academy overpowered Jalandhar district 8-5 to register third consecutive victory in the super league and emerged champions in the Punjab Schools Inter-District State Hockey Tournament (boys U-19) held at the Prithipal Singh Memorial Astroturf Stadium of Punjab Agricultural University, today.

The last super league match was merely a formality as the Jarkhar Academy had already won two out of three encounters to top the points table. They just needed a draw against Jalandhar to clinch the title.

Jarkhar Academy players scored an emphatic win to garner full nine points to lay their hands on winners’ trophy. This was fourth title win for the academy lads in the last six years.

Till half time, Jalandhar district fought well and gave many anxious moments to Jarkhar Academy as the score board read 3-2 in favour of the latter at lemon break. In the second half, Jarkhar Academy displayed fine game and emerged victorious.

For Jarkhar Academy Joginder Singh and Lovejeet Singh scored a brace each while Pawanpreet Singh, Harmeet Singh, Ajay Pal Singh and Amandeep Singh chipped in one goal each to complete the tally. For the losers, all the five goals came off Lawrance’s stick.

Kila Raipur defeated Bathinda 4-0 to finish as runners up while Jalandhar and Bathinda districts secured third and fourth position, respectively.

On the basis of their performance in this tournament, eight players from Jarkhar Academy were selected to represent Punjab in the National School Games slated to start on January 2 in New Delhi. Ajit Pal Singh, assistant education officer and coordinator of the tournament and Amrik Singh Minhas, SP, Moga were chief guests on the concluding day. Jagrrop Singh Jarkhar, Director, Jarkhar Hockey Academy, Jagdeep Singh Kahlon, Jagbir Singh Grewal (Nikku), treasurer, Ludhiana District Hockey Association, Harminder Pal Singh, Pargat Singh and Manmoham Mishra were also present on the occasion.