New Delhi: Orissa emerged champions in the Khelo India School Games after scraping past Punjab 2-1 in the boys’ hockey final here Thursday.
Sushil Dhanwar (29th) and Sudeep Chirmako (41st) were on target for the champions while Surdarshan Singh pulled one back in the dying minutes.
The state colts, who had beaten Punjab 3-0 during the league stage, proved that their victory was no fluke. In fact, the final scoreline does not do justice to Orissa, who should have won by a much higher margin.
Orissa showed no sign of fatigue after having played a gruelling semifinal against Uttar Pradesh while Punjab, who had whipped Chandigarh in the other last four contest, had a tired look.
The fast moving Orissa boys, despite enjoying the upper hand most of the time, earned a breakthrough only a minute before the interval with Sushil Dhanwar scoring off a penalty corner.
Orissa then doubled the lead, in spite of some furious attacks by the Punjab colts, in the 41st minute when striker Sudeep struck on the counter. Surdarshan struck the consolation goal just before the final whistle, but it was too little too late for Punjab.
Earlier, Chandigarh routed Uttar Pradesh 5-1 in the bronze medal match. A goal in the dying moments by Anu helped Haryana lift the girls’ trophy, defeating Jharkhand 2-1.
Para-badminton tourney
The Orissa Para-Badminton Association will organise the State level Para-Badminton Championships at the Unit-I Indoor Hall here February 10-11. The wheelchair category will not be a part of the meet. Selected players from the tourney will feature in the national meet.
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