BHUBANESWAR 17-Dec-2015
Host Utkal University achieved a creditable hat-trick by winning the title for the third year in a row in the East Zone Inter-University Women Kabaddi Tournament, which concluded here at Utkal University Sports Council (UUSC) ground today. In fact, Utkal emerged champions for the fourth time in five years.
Led by Biduprava Swain, Utkal won all the four matches they played in the three-day tournament, defeating VKS Ara University, MG Kashi University, LN Mithla University and Pt Ravi Shankar Shukla University. Pt Ravi Shankar Shukla finished runners-up, while the third and fourth positions were occupied by LN Mithla University and MG Kashi University respectively. The top four teams qualified to compete in the All-India Inter-University Tournament early next year.
The East Zone tournament ended one day before schedule as only 24 universities turned up in stead of 34 as expected. Five other universities from Odisha crashed out of the tournament, suffering defeats on the opening day. Utkal University Vice-chancellor Dr Ashok Kumar Das, Bhubaneswar (North) MLA Priyadarshi Mishra, Mayor Anant Narayan Jena handed over the prizes at the closing ceremony. Utkal University Sports Council Director Prof Jayanta Kumar Parida, Sports Officer Ambika Prasad Ray and Pramod Kumar Nayak were present on the occasion.
Earlier, the tournament was inaugurated by Odisha Sports Minister Sudam Marndi in the presence of MLA Priyadarshi Mishra, KIIT University Registrar Dr Sasmita Samata, former India woman kabaddi player Jayashree Swain and host UUSC Director Prof Jayanta Kumar Parida. On the occasion, Sports Minister Marndi announced to provide financial grant for construction of gallery at UUSC campus and mat for kabaddi. He also assured to provide Rs 10 lakh for Utkal University gymnasium.
UTKAL UNIVERSITY TEAM: Bidu Prabha Swain, Saraswati Swain, Sasmita Pradhan, Pratibha Behera, Amita Bhatta (all GCPE, Bhubaneswar); Anupama Sethi, Jhunubala Bindhani (both Indira Gandhi Women’s College, Cuttack); Anupa Sahu (LNS Mahavidyalaya), Sradhanjali Panda (R D Women’s College, Bhubaneswar), Harapriya Mahapatra (B D Women’s College), Nikita Nayak (Dev Ray College, Bhubaneswar), Puspalata Jena (B P College), Puspita Jena (Kamala Nehru College, Bhubaneswar), Suchismita Satapathy (UNS Mahavidyalaya), Namrud Begum (Anchalika Mahavidyalaya, Dhenkanal). Coach: Sanhita Das.
RESULTS:
Dec 15 (Group League): Match No 1: VBS Purbanchal University beat SOA University 38-4. Match No 2: Kalyani University beat Sambalpur University 8-7. Match No 3: Ranchi University beat DDU Gorakhpur University 24-15. Match No 4: Bardwan University beat Fakir Mohan University 48-11. Match No 5: TM Bhagalpur University beat BRA University 34-12. Match No 6: VKS Ara University beat North Odisha University 41-5. Match No 7: APS University beat Barahampur University 31-16. Match No 8: VBS Purvanchal University beat Vidyasagar University 26-8. Match No 9: Bardhan University beat Manipur University 46-9. Match No 10: TM Bhagalpur University beat Surguja University 27-13.
Dec 16 (Group League): Match No 11: Calcutta University beat VBS Purvanchal University by 1 point. Match No 12: Burdwan University beat APS Rewa University by 37 point. Match No 13: Kalyani University beat Bilashpur University 34-12. Match No 14: Pt RSS University beat Ranchi University 34-18. Match No 15: VKS University beat TM Bhagalpur University 38-16. Match No 16: Pt RSS University beat Kalyani University 33-25.
Dec 16 (All-India Qualifying matches): Match No 17: MG Kashi University beat Calcutta University 25-22. Match No 18: LN Mithila University beat Burdwan University 16-14. Match No 19: Pt RSS University beat KIIT University 41-20. Match No 20: Utkal University beat VKS Ara University 43-15.
Dec 17 (Super League): Match No 21: Utkal University beat Kashi University 14-13. Match No 22: Pt RSS University beat LN Mithila University 20-14. Match No 23: LN Mithila University beat Kashi University 25-19. Match No 24: Utkal University beat Pt RSS University 18-13. Match No 25: Pt RSS University beat Kashi University 19-18. Match No 26: Utkal University beat LN Mithila University 14-6.
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PHOTO: East Zone Champions Utkal University women kabaddi team in Bhubaneswar.