SAI Sonipat Triumphs in Punjab Hockey League Final
Exciting Finale at Punjab Hockey League
Jalandhar (Punjab) [India], September 27: In a nail-biting conclusion to the second edition of the Punjab Hockey League (U 21), the Sports Authority of India National Centre of Excellence, Sonipat, narrowly defeated the Naval Tata Hockey Academy with a score of 4-3. This thrilling match took place at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium on Saturday.
In another intense match, Roundglass Hockey Academy claimed third place by overcoming PIS Surjit Hockey Academy, also with a score of 4-3, as reported by the Punjab Hockey League.
The Chief Minister of Punjab, Bhagwant Singh Mann, presented the awards to the winning teams. Prior to the finals, an exhibition match featured an All Stars XI, captained by Indian skipper Harmanpreet Singh, facing off against a Legends XI led by Baljit Singh, with the All Stars winning decisively 4-0.
SAI Sonipat quickly established a 2-0 lead within the first 12 minutes, thanks to goals from Ankush and Mithilesh Yadav. However, Naval Tata responded with a penalty stroke by Ashish Tani Purti just three minutes later, followed by a penalty corner conversion from Patras Hassa that leveled the match at 1-1. SAI regained the lead in the 27th minute with a goal from Nitin, but Patras Hassa struck again in the 34th minute, equalizing the score at 3-3. The decisive moment came five minutes before the end of the match when Neeraj scored the final goal, securing the championship for SAI Sonipat.
Earlier, Roundglass Hockey Academy's victory over PIS Surjit Hockey Academy featured a standout performance from Japnit Singh, who netted a hat trick, while Gursewak Singh added another goal. For the Jalandhar side, Manmeet Singh Rai, Manroop Singh, and Harmolbir Singh contributed with goals.
Ashish Tani Purti from Naval Tata Hockey Academy was named Player of the Tournament, while Jeevan Singh from Roundglass Hockey Academy earned the title of Best Goalkeeper.
SAI Sonipat was awarded Rs 15 Lakhs, with Naval Tata receiving INR 10 Lakhs as runners-up, and Roundglass Hockey Academy taking home INR 3 Lakhs for their third-place finish.
The Punjab Hockey League, organized by Roundglass Hockey Academy and Hockey Punjab, aims to enhance match exposure for players at the grassroots level and support their overall development.