With two consecutive victories in as many as days, the Delhi based NGO team One Thousand Hockey Legs XI has entered the Super League of 35th Sub-Jr Nehru Cup being underway in Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi.
OTHL XI yesterday defeated Government Boys Senior Secondary Schools Manda, Madhya Pradesh, 6-1 with three goals coming from ultimate Man of the Match, the diminutive forward Sachin.
Sachin was declared Man of the Match at Pune in the 2nd SGNB All India Inter-School tournament held last week.
Ankush, Ritik Singh and Parveen scored a goal apiece for the delightful OTHL victory.
In the first encounter in the wee hours of Monday, OTHL XI scrapped through for full points against Punjab Public School from Nabha, Punjab. The scoreline was 2-1. Sachin and Aditya struck a goal each.
Since taking part in 2013, various OTHL teams have tried hard to get past the preliminary, but failed. At least one strong Academy team used to come in the way.
This is the first team to break the barrier and be in the Super League which will commence from 15th.
Nehru Hockey Tournament Society is the first national level organization to give the NGO direct entry for the tournament.
It is worthwhile to mention here that one champions schools team from each state participate in the prestigious All India tournament, started 35 years ago, and hence holding all its six flagship events without break.
Education Departments of each State organize a Pre-Nehru tournament and the winner is sent to Delhi, the tradition that has started four decades ago is still being maintained.
OTHL will now play its first Super League match on 15th.
OTHL XI team: Karan & Durgesh Sharma (GKs); Sahil Singh, Aditya Kumar, Parveen Kumar, Nishant Kumar, Aadil Malik, Ankush Kumar, Ritik Simgh, Rahul, Md Arbaz, Rajdeep Yadav, Ankit Kumar, Sachin, Aniket, Manish (ghittorni)