Lucknow – Under the aegis of the Directorate of Sports, Uttar Pradesh, the much-anticipated State Level Women’s Hockey Competition of the Women’s Sports Festival concluded on a high note at Guru Govind Singh Sports College, Lucknow. The tournament, held from November 18 to 20, showcased stellar performances from regional teams, culminating in a nail-biting final that crowned Sports College Gorakhpur as champions.
Semi-Final Matches
The competition witnessed intense matches in the semi-finals, setting the stage for a thrilling final showdown:
- First Semi-Final: Lucknow Division dominated Gorakhpur Division in a one-sided match, winning 6-0 to secure their spot in the final.
- Second Semi-Final: Sports College Gorakhpur emerged victorious against Meerut Division, defeating them 3-0 to advance to the title clash.
The Final Showdown
The final match between Lucknow Division and Sports College Gorakhpur lived up to expectations, offering an engaging battle of skill and determination.
- Lucknow Division’s Ranjana Kesari opened the scoring in the 31st minute, converting a penalty corner to give her team a 1-0 lead.
- Sports College Gorakhpur retaliated in the 40th minute with a goal by Arika Kumari, also from a penalty corner, leveling the score at 1-1.
- The decisive moment came in the 49th minute when Vaishali from Sports College Gorakhpur scored a brilliant field goal, pushing her team ahead with a 2-1 lead.
Despite concerted efforts from both sides, no further goals were scored, and the match concluded with Sports College Gorakhpur lifting the coveted trophy.
Award Ceremony
The prize distribution ceremony was graced by Olympian Syed Ali and Ranjana Gupta, who felicitated the winners and runner-ups. Distinguished guests, including former international player Kumud Tiwari and other eminent personalities such as Manju Bisht, Sadhana Singh, and Ashok Kumar, were in attendance.
A Note of Gratitude
Concluding the event, Ajay Kumar Sethi, Regional Sports Officer of Lucknow, extended heartfelt thanks to the chief guests, players, and attendees for their contribution to the success of the competition.
The State-Level Women’s Hockey Competition not only celebrated the talent and sportsmanship of the participants but also reinforced the importance of promoting women’s sports in Uttar Pradesh.
