Lucknow: Naval Tata Grassroots Odisha (ONT) successfully defended their crown by defeating hosts UP Karam 2–0 in the final of the 36th Karam All India KD Singh Babu Sub-Junior (Under-14 Boys) Prize Money Hockey Tournament. With this victory, Odisha clinched the title for the second consecutive year in a thrilling contest played at the Padma Shri Mohammad Shahid Hockey Astro Turf, Vijayant Khand Mini Stadium.
In a closely fought final between the same two teams that had met in last year’s summit clash, Odisha once again emerged victorious. UP Karam, who had displayed dominant form throughout the tournament, failed to reproduce their best performance under the pressure of the final.
The first quarter ended goalless, with both sides testing each other’s defenses. Odisha adopted a more aggressive approach in the second quarter and capitalized on a penalty corner in the 21st minute. Abhishek Soreng (Jersey No. 11) converted the opportunity brilliantly to give his team a 1–0 lead.
UP Karam intensified their efforts in the third quarter in search of an equalizer, but Odisha’s solid defensive structure thwarted every attempt. In the 39th minute, Soreng struck again from another penalty corner, doubling the lead and effectively sealing the match. UP Karam were unable to break through in the fourth quarter, and the match concluded 2–0 in favor of Odisha.
The winning Odisha team was awarded a cash prize of ₹2 lakh, while runners-up UP Karam received ₹1.5 lakh.
The closing ceremony was graced by Kavita Nigam, CHRO of Kamar Group of Companies, who presented the awards to the players. Among the distinguished guests present were five-time MLA Alam Badi (Nizamabad, Azamgarh), Olympian Syed Ali, Sujit Kumar, former SAI Director Rachna Govil, former international hockey player Manju Bisht, Imranul Haq, Rajesh Tandon, Inayat Ullah, Dhirendra Singh, Khursheed, Manoj and Gurutosh Pandey.
RoundGlass Finish Third
In the third-place playoff, RoundGlass Hockey Academy defeated Punjab Institute of Mohali 3–1 to secure third position. RoundGlass were awarded ₹1 lakh, while the Punjab team received ₹50,000.
Individual Awards
In memory of Kishori Lal Shah, select players were given cash awards of ₹2,000 each. The individual honors were as follows:
- Best Player of the Tournament: Ujjwal (UP)
- Best Goalkeeper: Principal Singh (RoundGlass)
- Best Half: Suleman (RoundGlass)
- Best Fullback: Abhishek (Odisha)
The tournament once again highlighted emerging grassroots talent in Indian hockey, with Odisha reinforcing its growing dominance at the sub-junior level.
