Bhubaneswar: The Odisha team has performed brilliantly in both the men’s and women’s divisions in the Hockey India East Junior Championship. The team became the champion in the men’s division while the runner-up in the women’s division. The men’s final was full of excitement. After the match between Odisha and Jharkhand ended 6-6, Odisha won 4-3 in the penalty shoot-out. Mitesh Kerketa, Mandeep Kerketa scored two goals each and Aklesh Lakra and Subo Lakra scored one goal each from Odisha. Salman Lakra, Dibit Madki and Orman Soreng scored goals in the shootout.
Odisha and Jharkhand match ended 1-1 in the women’s division final. Priyank Minjja from Odisha and Shruti Kumari from Jharkhand scored the goals. Jharkhand won 3-0 in the penalty shootout and became the champion. Coach Prafulla Tirck has expressed his satisfaction with the performance of the team. Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey also praised both the teams for a hard fought match.
