STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The Kenyan men team defeated India 7-4 in the final to win the 6th World Cup Rollball Championship at the Sri Shiv Chatrapati Stadium in Mhalunge, Balewadi Pune in Maharashtra.
In the previous World Cup, India won the title by defeating same side of Kenya. In this match, however, Kenya avenged the defeat by winning over India.
At the interval, the Kenyan team had taken a two-goal lead at 4-2. Griffins scored three, Bonface two and Moses and Brian added a goal each for Kenya. From India, Sachin Saini (two), Aditya Sutar and Akash Ganeshwade were the scorers.
In the prize distribution function, Chandrakantada Patil, Guardian Minister of Higher and Technical Education was Chief Guest, who presented the title trophy to the men’s champion and other position holders. On this occasion, former Mayor of Pune Muralidhar Mohol, BJP City President Jagdish Mulik, State BJP General Secretary Dheeraj Ghate, Entrepreneur Puneet Balan, Indian Rollball Association’s Chairman Suryakant Kakade, Asian Rollball Association’s President S. S. Roy, Indian Rollball Association’s President Manohar Kant, Vice President Manoj Yadav, Secretary Chetan Bhandwalkar, Maharashtra Rollball Association President Sandeep Khardekar, Father of Rollball Raju Dabhade and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
Earlier, Senegal beat Latvia 8-5 in the third place match. In the semifinals,
India defeated Senegal 10-07. At the interval, India had taken a two-goal lead of 5-3. For India, Akash Ganeshwade scored three goals while Mihir Sane and
Sachin Saini contribute two each. Srikanth Sahu, Aditya Sutar and Harshal Ghuge scored one goal each. Mouhamet scored six goals for Senegal. In the second semi-final, Kenya beat Latvia 14-1.
Earlier, Indian women team finished third. Important to mention here that two J&K women, Khushi Gupta and Ruhi Rajput were part of bronze winning Indian team. As also the coach of silver winning Indian men team, Madhu Sharma also belongs to Jammu.