Janakpuri wins the 105-match OTHL Delhi Sunday League, and highlights
Aided with sound midfield and sharp shooters upfront, Government Boys Senior Secondary School, Janakpuri easily won the 105-match, three month long OTHL Delhi League, defeating Government Boys Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya, Ashok Vihar 3-0 in the final held on last Sunday at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium playfields on last Sunday.
Left winger Dharmender struck twice while ….posted the second half goal to the first session tally to win the experimental, first-ever league launch by the Delhi based NGO, Hockey Citizen Group which runs globally acclaimed One Thousand Hockey Legs (OTHL) project.
Government Boys Senior SecondarySchool Mahrauli won the bronze overcoming the tough challenge posed by the Government Boys Senior Secondary school Ghittorni. 12-year old Sachin scored twice while Baljit Singh and Mohd Fardeen posted a goal apiece. Despite missing a stroke, Farman Ansari scored a field goal in addition to Chandra Bhusan but Ghittorni fell short of two goals to give away the third place to Mahrauli, which missed the services of Kanhaiya Kumar on account of injury.
Earlier, Government Boys School Saket overcame Yogi Arvind Senior Secondary School, Ambedkar Nagar to claim the fifth spot. The Saket school lost out to Mahrauli in the play off.
The Sunday League started midway through September and was played almost all Sundays thereafter. Each day almost 6-8 matches were held. After each team played a match each, last four teams viz Saket G, Kesavapuram, Sultanpur and MB Road were relegated.
In all 105 matches were held in last three months including the knock out phase.
First three placed school teams – Mahrauli, Ashok Vihar and Janakpuri – were given away with individual medals besides glittering trophy.
These teams were given new set of shoes.
Based on the continuous presence, commitment and interest shown, ten players were chosen for giving high-end composite hockey sticks. Besides, ten players got Best Player trophies too.
HIGHLIGHTS
The Sunday League went on for three and half months
Over all 105 matches were played, a record for schools hockey
13 teams took part, but four teams were relegated after first round.
Nine teams thereafter played another round before the top four teams were identified and knock out Semifinals were played.
All participating teams were given OTHL Jerseys and certificates.
The top four teams will be sent for exposure trips for the coming season. Hitherto, combined teams were sent for outstation trips.
Services of National and international level umpires were availed for knock out stages.
About 400 OTHL Kids were present to witness and cheer the final day
Many boys who dropped out of hockey due to various factors came back to play the Sunday League, which turned out to be one of the solid fringe benefits.