CUTTACK 28-Jul-2013 692
Radha Gobinda Club emerged champions in the FAO First Division League, trouncing last year’s runner-up Jobra Durga Club 3-0 in the floodlit final at Barabati Stadium here today. Nigerian striker Harison starred in the triumph, scoring twice in the second and 28th minutes. Suresh Kujur completed the rout with the third goal in the 83rd minute.
Lok Sabha Member Baijayanta Panda and Rajya Sabha Member Dillip Tirkey handed over the trophy at the closing function. Sports Department Secretary Hrushikesh Tripathy, Odisha Olympic Association secretary Asirbad Behera, Football Association of Odisha president Debashish Samantray and secretary Sanjay Behera were present on the occasion.
The champion team received a cheque of Rs 1 lakh, while the runner-up outfit was given Rs 50,000. Ten veteran footballers of the statewere felicitated at the glittering function. They were Paresh Das , Ashok Mohanty, Dr RR Sarangi, JJ Hema Rao, Babajee Behera, KB Rana, Ramzan Khan, Gyanendra Narayan Mishra, Nizamul Haque and Chandan Roy.
Earlier in the floodlit semifinals on July 26, Radha Gobinda eliminated defending champions Odisha Police 5-4 in tie-breaker, while Jobra Durge edged out Independent Club 4-3 also in penalty shoot out.
