All India Postal Hockey: Orissa’s Maiden Trophy Triumph
By Satish Sharma

ROURKELA: Orissa’s new look postal hockey team not only stopped the juggernaut of Madhya Pradesh team from further rolling but also in scripted their name for the first time as the winners of the 22nd All India Postal Hockey Tournament. Orissa beat last 10 years champions MP 4-3 in an exciting final played at the Biju Patnaik Hockey Stadium here. Though the score line show it a close match but Orissa looked much more superior than the victory margin shows. Host team would have won by much wider margin had their players utilized all the opportunities that came their way.

In this Orissa’s maiden victory, Manoj Lakra emerged as the ‘Hero’ of their team. He converted three penalty corners into goals out of four which Orissa earned. The fourth goal was scored by the Binay Baxla. MP team’s custodian proved a weak link in their as he proved totally ineffective while facing the penalty corners. He conceded some soft goals. MP players looked more skillful and experienced but they were lacking in agility and speed. Orissa’s more younger and fitter players with vociferous support from the gallery took full advantage of their youthfulness.

But it was MP who took the first lead in the match through S.Faizal Ali in 26th minute. The goal against the run of the match shocked the host team for a while. But within 2 minutes Orissa leveled the match When Manoj Lakra converted team’s second penalty corner into goal. After the breather Orissa pumped in 2 more goals through Manoj who converted other 2 penalty corners in a row (39th and 44th minute) and established 3-1 lead over reigning champions. Sadique Noor narrowed the lead by scoring a goal in 47th minute, But Binay Baxla again widened the margin for host team in 65th minute. A minute later Aftabuddin’s goal raised hopes for MP team but then Orissa’s defenders did not allow MP forwards to come close to their citadel in remaining 4 minutes and ensured the maiden trophy triumph in the tournament.
K.C.Choudhury and P.K.Patanik were the umpires.

Uttar Pradesh claimed the hard line trophy by beating Punjab 4-1. For UP team S.Shama (15th minute), Arvind Yadav (31st Minute off a short corner), Abhinav Rai (33rd Minute) and Shobhit Pandey (42nd minute off penalty corner) were the scorers. Dharampal Singh scored the lone consolatory goal in 68th minute.

The 22nd All India Postal Hockey Tournament organized for the first time at Rourkela was inaugurated on 4th February. The five day tournament played on the league cum knockout basis had a total seven teams in the fray. Apart from host Orissa, MP, UP, Punjab, TamilNadu, Karnataka and Jammu & Kashmir teams participated in the tournament. During the league matches Orissa defeated J&K 9-0, TamilNadu 4-1 and MP 7-3. MP registered the biggest victory of the tournament by trouncing J&K 25-0
In semifinal matches Orissa defeated Punjab 3-1 while MP prevailed over UP 3-2.

Former Olympian Micheal Kindo was the chief guest in the final match. He distributed the trophies to the winners and runners up teams. Nuel Tirkey of Orissa was declared the best player of the tournament.