65th All India Police Games
Sports Reporter
JAMMU: Unexpected performance from Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in the all important game left star-studded and experienced side of Punjab Police stunned 4-0 and took away the maiden hockey trophy of the 65th All India Police Games hosted by Jammu and Kashmir Police at KK Hakku Astroturf Stadium, here on Friday.
The cool, composed and patient side of CRPF never looked back after they went ahead of their strong opponent in the early stages of the match. Bikash Kujur was the man, who brought in the first blood in the very eighth minute of the match.
“It was the first lead that provided CRPF an edge over us and thereafter the side never missed the chances came their way. On the contrary, our boys were not in true spirit of sports today and have missed whatever came their way during the 70-minute game,” Punjab Police coach, Inspector Surjeet Singh told.
Enjoying the crowd support, the CRPF men were two goals up at the end of first half play with Jayant Tirkey bringing in a beautiful goal lifting the ball in front of the goalkeeper into the net in 33rd minute.
With already two goals up, the CRPF entered into the second half of the play with more vigour and confidence thereby added two more goals to the tally making it 4-0 at the end of the play. Bikash Kujur netted his second goal and team’s third goal in 39th minute. Five minutes later, Saroj Ekka made a solo effort to add fourth goal in 44th minute.
“Playing an attacking game was in our strategy to tough opponent and it paid us the dividends. The boys were confident to take on the strong opponent in Punjab Police but had never expected such a huge win. This was our first hockey title in the history of CRPF in the All India Police meet. Last year we finished third,” said CRPF coach, Head Constable, Devati.
Earlier, the third place went to BSF, who managed a 3-1 against the defending champions, ITBP in the hardliner played this morning. Hatinder Singh struck twice netting the ball in 31st and 39th minutes while Mandeep Singh added one in the 41st minute. The lone goal from ITBP came through Suneel Kujur, who sounded the board in the 66th minute of the game.
Odisha Police, who lost in the quarterfinals, were adjudged most disciplined side and presented with ‘Fair Play’ trophy. Earlier, the week-long competition witnessed 41 matches, including 33 league games. The event witnessed record three hat tricks coming from Ranjeet Singh of BSF, Jagmeet Singh of Punjab Police and Manoj Singh Mehra of Uttrakhand Police.
Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti was Chief Guest in the final and valedictory function, who gave away the title trophies amidst appreciation for the participating teams and hosts J and K Police.
Mehbooba said youth of the State are bestowed with immense qualities but they don’t have enough opportunities to display these qualities. She said sports are one such discipline which lets the youth display not only their playing spirit but also their managerial, strategic and analytical skills.
The Chief Minister hoped the participant players from outside teams would have seen the situation in the State for themselves and they might have found it quite different to what has been portrayed on television screens. She asked them to act as peace ambassadors and tell their families and friends back home what they witnessed during their stay here.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister released a souvenir of the tournament.
Special Director, IB, S.K Sinha, who represented All India Police Sports Control Board, senior serving and retired officers of J and K Police were among other distinguished gathering.
Earlier, Director General of J and K Police, K Rajendra Kumar presented a detailed report while welcoming the Chief Guest and other special guests. The vote of thanks was presented by Organising Secretary, ADGP Armed, L.K Mohanty.