Hockey Gangpur-Odisha crowned Sub-jr Men Natl-A champs

Hockey Gangpur-Odisha won the title in the Hockey India 6th Sub-Junior Men National Championship (Division-A), defeating host Hockey Manipur in the final by 3-2 goals at Imphal today. This is the first gold medal and second achievement of year for Hockey Gangpur-Odisha, which claimed silver medal in the Hockey India 6th Junior Men National Championship (Division-A) earlier this month at Raipur.

Hockey Gangpur-Odisha secretary general Debasish Gouda congratulated the players, coach Amulya Kumar Behera and Manager Rajen Ekka for the achievement. Earlier in the semifinals, Hockey Gangpur-Odisha edged past Hockey Chandigarh 2-1, while Manipur Hockey outplayed Hockey Jharkhand 4-1.

Hockey Gangpur-Odisha, who had won the bronze medals last year, reached the semifinals in style this year, winning all three of their league matches in Pool C. They thrashed Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy 5-0, Hockey Andhra Pradesh 16-1 and Delhi Hockey 6-0.

But five-time champions Hockey Odisha flattered to deceive in the championship as they crashed out from the pool stage. In their three Pool-A matches, Hockey Odisha lost to Uttar Pradesh Hockey 0-3, drew with Manipur Hockey 3-3 and beat Hockey Patiala 2-1.

HOCKEY ODISHA TEAM: Sabyasachi Minz (GK), Sambit Mishra (GK), Bhima Ekka, Arpan Samad, Nabin Kujur, Laban Lugun, Krishna Tirkey, Deepak Gawala, Liban Ekka, Illias Surin, Niraj Xess (Captain), George Tirkey, Rohit Beck, Binod Toppo, Ajay Kumar Ekka, Pradeep Lakra, Ajit Ekka, Sanjay Xalxo. Coach: Pradeep Kumar Sarangi; Manager: N Jiten Singh.

HOCKEY GANGPUR-ODISHA TEAM: Cyril Lugun, Amandeep Lakra, Prakash Dhir, Akash Ekka, Manip Kerketta, Nahas Barwa, Shakti Kujur, Rahul Ekka, Sudeep Chirmako, Abhijeet Swain, Ibrahim Toppo, Albert Tete, Dilip Kumar Sa, Anjulus Toppo, Dibesh Jojo, Mangal Komar, Prajukt Nag, Akash Tirkey. Coach: Amulya Kumar Behera; Manager: Rajen Ekka.

RESULTS OF ODISHA TEAMS:
May 14:
Uttar Pradesh Hockey (Vishal Thakur 34rd, 49th, 69th) beat Hockey Odisha 3-0.
May 15: Hockey Odisha (Binod Toppo 3rd, 8th; Rohit Beck 30th) drew with Manipur Hockey (Laishram Dipu 13th, Rabichandra Morangthem 35th, Kingson Tokchom 68th) 3-3.
May 16: Hockey Gangpur Odisha (Nahas Barwa 28th, Prajukt Nag 50th, Manip Kerketta 53rd, 64th, Cyril Lugun 59th) beat Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy 5-0.
May 17: Hockey Odisha beat Hockey Patiala 2-1.
May 18: Hockey Gangpur-Odisha (Manip Kerketta 3rd, 11th, 25th; Sudip Chirmako 6th, 13th, 53rd, 64th, 66th; Prajukt Nag 8th, Prakash Dhir 23rd, 28th; Nahas Barwa 34th, 37th, 47th; Abhijit Swain 67th; Ibrahim Toppo 69th) beat Hockey Andra Pradesh (17th) 16-1.
May 19: Hockey Gangpur-Odisha (Manip Kerketta 3rd, 30th; Anjulus Toppo 25th, Sudip Chirmako 33rd, 46th; Amandeep Lakra 50th) beat Delhi Hockey 6-0.
May 21 (SF): Hockey Gangpur-Odisha (Amandeep Lakra 48th, Manip Kerketta 56th) beat Hockey Chandigarh (Sanjay 70th) 2-1.
May 22 (Final): Hockey Gangpur-Odisha (Amandeep Lakra 15th, Sudeep Chirmako 47th, Manip Kerketta 68th) beat Hockey Manipur (Dipu S Laishram 18th, 21st) 3-2.
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PHOTO: Champion Hockey Gangpur-Odisha team with the trophy in Imphal on May 22, 2016.

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