The Krida Prabodhini Hockey team showcased their dominance in the Hockey Pune League tournament, clinching both the senior and junior division titles with remarkable performances.
In the senior division final, Krida Prabodhini outclassed GST and Central Excise Pune with a commanding 5-1 victory at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in Nehrunagar-Pimpri. Sachin Rajgode, Rohan Patil, Rahul Shinde, Sachin Kolekar, and Sagar Shingude each scored field goals, sealing the win in what turned out to be a one-sided affair. GST and Central Excise managed to find the net only once, thanks to a goal by Talib Shah.
The match for third place saw the Food Corporation of India Pune team edge out Central Railway Pune in a closely contested 3-2 encounter. Sri Kishan put FCI ahead with a penalty stroke, followed by Akash Raj extending the lead through a penalty corner. Raj Patil added a third goal for FCI. Central Railway’s Stephen Swamy fought back with two goals, but his efforts were not enough to prevent defeat.
In the junior division final, Krida Prabodhini delivered a crushing 7-0 defeat to Friends Union Club. The team’s victory was highlighted by outstanding performances from Soham Kashid, Salman Ambi, Gaurav Patil, Suraj Shukla, Karthik Pathare, and Deepak Chavan, leaving Friends Union Club without a single goal to their name.
The battle for third place in the junior division was intense, with Hockey Lovers Sports Club narrowly beating Poona Sports Academy 3-2. Omkar Anjir, Nihal Gortkar, and Akash Belitkar each contributed a goal for Hockey Lovers, while Manoj Pillay and Ronak Yedellu found the net for Poona Sports Academy.
The tournament concluded with a prize distribution ceremony, graced by former Olympians Rahul Singh and Vikram Pillay, along with other dignitaries including GST Deputy Commissioner Dhananjay Mahadik, Hockey Pune Honorary Secretary Manoj Bhore, and PCMC Deputy Sports Commissioner Pankaj Patil, who proposed the vote of thanks.
