ROURKELA 15-Apr-2012 336
Sundargarh district once again proved that their superiority in hockey, both in men and women sections, is unchallenged in the state. The 7-2 drubbing of Cuttack at the hands of Sundargarh in the final of 1st State Women Hockey Championship is another testimony of it.
The summit clash played at the Biju Patnaik Hockey Stadium here to, Cuttack girls played with guts against their famed rivals in first half and kept the score line at 2-2. In fact it was Cuttack who dominated the game in first 20 minutes and had established 2-0 lead over Sundargarh. Birajani Ekka scored both the goals in the 7th and 15th minutes.
Shocked by this reversal, Sundargarh soon regrouped their coordination and launched an all-out attack against Cuttack. Eline Lakra opened the account for them in the 18th minute. Poonam Barla leveled the score by scoring second goal in 24th minute.
After change of ground Sundargarh attacked Cuttack citadel with vengeance and pumped in five more goals to prove their superiority. Dulari Kandulana (42nd), Rajkumari Ekka (45th and 51st), Poonam Barla (54th) and Eline Lakra (63rd) scored for Sundargarh.
Hosted by Sundaragh District Hockey Association, under the auspices of Hockey Odisha, the three-day championship attracted nine district teams. On their way to the final, Sundargarh defeated Ganjam 8-0 and Dhenkanal 5-1 in the semifinal. Cuttack defeated Khurda 10-0 and Rourkela Steel Plant 7-0 in semifinals.
State Sports Director Saswat Mishra handed over trophy and medals to the players at the closing function. He announced laying of two new hockey synthetic turfs in at Panposh Hostel and Kalinga Stadium, Bhubanswar. He also announced that the Governemnt is working on increasing the capacity of sports hostel and center of excellency of the state. Pratap Satpathy, general secretary, Hockey Odisha and vice-president of Hockey India was present on the occasion.
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PHOTO: Sundargarh players receive the State women`s hockey trophy in Rourkela on Sunday.
