Gagandeep scores thrice, guides CHA to title triumph
Chandigarh

DISPLAYING FINE stick work, Gagandeep struck thrice to guide hosts Chandigarh Hockey Academy to a convincing 3-1 over Punjab and Sind Bank, Jalandhar, in the final of the first Administrator’s Challenge Cup Hockey Tournament at the Sector 42 Hockey Stadium in Chandigarh on Wednesday .

Dominating the proceedings, Chandigarh Hockey Academy struck in the very first minute through Gagandeep.

Gagandeep struck again in the eighth minute with a brilliant field goal, followed by another goal in the 12th minute to complete his three-in-arow feat. In a counter move, the bankmen were able to reduce the margin by converting a penalty corner in the 46th minute when Gagandeep Singh rolled the ball in after capitalising on the rebound off the Chandigarh Hockey Academy goalkeeper Sukhjeet’s pads. The bankmen earned penalty corners in the 15th, 30th, 46th, 48th and 64th minutes. They could convert only one.

Gagandeep Junior, Baljot, Inderjeet, Gagandeep senior, Damandeep, all of Chandigarh Hockey Academy were given green cads. Gurjinder and Damandeep, of CHA, got yellow cards. For PSB Rajneesh Kumar was booked in 28th minute and was shown green card.

Kanwarpreet Singh, also of PSB got yellow card in the 51st minute.

Adviser to the Chandigarh Administrator Pradip Mehra distributed the prizes. The jubilant Chandigarh Hockey Academy boys were presented a glittering trophy and a cheque for Rs 50,000. The Punjab and Sind Bank team received the runners-up trophy and a cash incentive of Rs 25,000.

Also present on the occasion were Chandigarh Finance and Sports Secretary Sanjay Kumar,

Additional Deputy Commissioner-cum-Sports Director I.S. Sandhu, Additional Director General of Police, Punjab, and president of the Chandigarh Hockey Association Chander Sekhar and Joint Director Sports J.P.S. Sidhu.