Sainik School Imphal wins Sub-Jr, Sainik School Punglwa junior trophy
STATE TIMES NEWS
NAGROTA: Sainik School Imphal (Manipur) and Sainik School Punglwa (Nagaland) emerging champions in sub-junior and junior categories respectively in the All India Sainik Schools Inter-zonal Football Championship 2017-18 hosted by Sainik School Nagrota, here which concluded on Friday.
The championship witnessed stiff competition among five teams namely Sainik School Ghorakhal (Uttrakhand), Sainik School Punglwa (Nagaland), Sainik School Rewari (Haryana) and Sainik School Bhubaneswar (Odisha) in junior category. In sub-junior category Sainik Schools from Manipur, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra and Uttrakhand qualified from their respective zones.
While Sainik School Punglwa (Nagaland) had some nervous moments during their opening encounter against Sainik School Ghorakhal (Uttrakhand), finally better goal average helped them sail through to the top position amongst juniors.
On the other hand, it was a cakewalk for Sainik School, Imphal until their last league playoff as they bulldozed their opponents match after match.
Their last match turned out to be thriller against Sainik School Satara (Maharashtra) who appeared to be on course to deliver a shocker to the so called invincibles, but the equalizer for Manipur came during the dying moments of the game from Cadet Sidharth Singh who netted a swerving free kick to send his team mates into frenzy.
Cadet Khundrakpan Suraj Singh Chest No. 19 of Sainik School Imphal (Manipur) was adjudged Best Player of the tournament and Cadet Kishan Trivedi of Sainik School Satara (Maharashtra) received the Best Goal Keeper award in Sub-junior category.
Among juniors, the Best Player award was bagged by Cadet Tania Raji of Sainik School Punglwa while Best Goal Keeper award went to Cadet Abhyuday Kumar of Sainik School Ghorakhal.
Capt (Indian Navy) A Muthuraman, Principal, Sainik School Nagrota presided over the closing ceremony held at the school stadium and gave away the certificates and trophies to winners of championship.
In his address to the participating teams, the Chief Guest complimented everyone for displaying exemplary sportsmanship on and off the field and making this event a resounding success. Further, the Chief Guest extended best wishes to Sainik School Imphal who, by virtue of winning this championship, have qualified to play in the upcoming Subroto Cup under 17 Football Tournament at national level.
