PSB, RCF emerge hockey champions

Our Sports Reporter

Punjab and Sind Bank (PSB), Jalandhar, survived many anxious moments against Punjab National Bank (PNB), Delhi, before winning 2-1 and emerging champions in the men’s section in the inaugural All-India Sahibzada Ajit Singh Hockey Championship at the Prithipal Singh Memorial Stadium here today.

In the women’s section, Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala, proved too good for Sonepat XI whom they blanked 3-0 to lift the Nirpjit Kaur Gill Memorial Trophy.

The men’s final started at a brisk pace with both the teams weaving good moves. In the initial moments, players of both teams raided the rival’s territory but failed to capitalise on the opportunities which came their way.

PSB captain Parminder Singh put his side ahead through a field goal in the 14th minute. Stung by this, PNB reacted and swarmed the rivals’ area and ultimately these tactics produced the desired result in the 26th minute when international Yudhvir Singh scored a superb goal to level the score-line at 1-1.

Three minutes before the long hooter, Parminder Singh again found the target to steer PSB to victory. The winners pocketed a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh in addition to the Sahibzada Ajit Singh Trophy while the losers received cash prize of Rs 1 lakh.

In the women’s section, RCF dominated from the word go and eventually wrapped up the issue comfortably. They gained an early lead in the fourth minute through Lalrem Vati and increased it three minutes later as Anuradha Devi converted a penalty-corner.

Deepika Thakur found the target in the second session to seal Sonepat XI’s fate.

RCF got Rs 75,000 besides the Nirpjit Kaur Gill Trophy and the runners-up had to be content with Rs 50,000.

Former Union Minister and president of the Punjab Olympics Association, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, distributed the prizes.

Hockey players from Punjab, who represented India in the last edition of the Commonwealth Games at New Delhi, were also honoured on this occasion. Rajpal Singh, Gurbaj Singh, Ravi Pal Singh, Sarwanjit Singh and Dharmveer Singh were given gold coins of 15 grams each for their contributions in the field of hockey.