BHOPAL: After winning the title of Sub-Junior National Hockey Championship recently, the Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy claimed a clinical 3-1 victory over Raja Karan Hockey Academy to clinch the 1st Hockey India Junior Men Academy National Championship.
This is for the first time MP has won back-to-back hockey nationals. Namdhari Xi beat Roundglass Punjab Hockey Club Academy 6-4 to finish 3rd in the inaugural edition of the tournament played at the newly-laid blue hockey turf at Major Dhyan Chand ground.
Capitalising on their good run of form, Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy defeated Raja Karan Hockey Academy 3-1 to emerge champions. Sourabh Pashine (19'), Akhtar Ali (20') and Shreyas Dhupe (39') scored a goal each to help MP Hockey Academy clinch the title. On the other hand, Agyapal (58') scored the only goal for Raja Karan Hockey Academy.
Sports minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia said, “I am happy that our coaching staff and players have yet again proved it. Coach Mohd Sameer Dad has done a wonderful job.”
Academy coach Mohd Sameer Dad said, “It was a great match, a challenging one, but boys showed great confidence. We focused on playing good hockey that helped us clinch the title.”
Earlier this month, the academy had clinched the 1st Hockey India Sub Junior Men Academy National Championship 2021 title. Having won two national titles, coach Mohd Sameer Dad said, “It’s overwhelming for me as a coach to help the Academy clinch two titles, that too in the inaugural edition of the tournament. This will motivate us to train more and more kids and eventually produce more talents for Indian Hockey.”
