Odisha, Hisar teams lift hockey titles

Naval Tata Academy, Odisha, emerged as the junior champions, while Har Academy Hisar lifted the sub-junior crown of the Hockey India Women’s Championship at Astroturf Hockey Stadium here on Sunday.

The championship was conducted by Hockey India from November 15 to 23.

Subhash Chauhan, organising secretary of championship, said in the junior category, Roundglass Punjab remained at second place and Ghummenheda, Delhi, secured third position. In the sub-junior category, Khalsa Academy, Punjab, secured second spot and Pritam Siwach Academy, Sonepat, remained at third position.

Several dignitaries from the hockey fraternity were present at the finals. Senior members were also honoured as part of the celebrations marking the 100 years of Indian hockey.

Deepak Sharma, PA to the Chief Minister, who was the chief guest, said the Haryana Government will continue to provide opportunities to every woman athlete to excel in sports and will bring more beneficial schemes.

He motivated the players to excel in hockey and aim to play for India.

Kapil Atreja, member, Haryana Staff Selection Commission, congratulated the winning teams. He said that an international level stadium had been developed in Karnal under the Smart City project.

Former captain of the Indian women team Ritu Rani encouraged more girls to come forward and play hockey. She appealed to women to send their daughters to the ground to play and make them take up sports seriously. The family members of Ritu Rani also honoured the dignitaries. India’s selection committee chairman Balwinder Shammi also chose promising players from the tournament for the national team.