The third edition of the Odisha Naval Tata Hockey Grassroot League championships came to a thrilling conclusion as Hockey Kutra emerged as the champions in both the boys’ and girls’ categories. The tournament, held at the iconic Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar, saw Kutra defeat Balisankara in the boys’ category and Gurundia in the girls’ category. The closing ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including the Mayor of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), the Director of Sports and Youth Services, the President of Hockey India, and the Project Director at the Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High-Performance Centre.
The tournament, organized in association with the Sports and Youth Services Department of Odisha, featured a total of 16 teams with 256 players competing over five days. The road to the finals was not easy, with 671 competitors from 46 teams vying for a spot in the championship. The tournament aimed to promote grassroots hockey and provide young talents with a platform to showcase their skills.
Sulochana Das, the Mayor of BMC, expressed her admiration for the Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High-Performance Centre’s efforts in promoting grassroots hockey. She congratulated all the teams who made it to the finals and emphasized the significance of the tournament in nurturing young talents who could bring honor to India.
The Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High-Performance Centre has played a pivotal role in the development of hockey in the region. As part of their initiative to create top-notch training facilities, they have built 17 hockey turfs in Sundargarh Rourkela. These facilities aim to provide athletes with world-class training opportunities.
The winning teams, both Kutra boys and Kutra girls, expressed their joy at the championship victory. Smita Toppo, the women’s captain of team Kutra, praised the atmosphere at the Kalinga Stadium and expressed her desire to continue participating in grassroots tournaments in the future.
Rajiv Seth, the Project Director of the Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High-Performance Centre, highlighted the importance of grassroots hockey and the positive impact it can have on the sport in the coming years. He congratulated all the teams that participated in the tournament and emphasized the center’s commitment to the growth and development of the sport.
The Odisha Naval Tata Hockey Grassroot League championships showcased the talent and potential of young hockey players. With teams from various training centers participating, the tournament provided a platform for these players to hone their skills and gain valuable experience.
The successful conclusion of the tournament is a testament to the efforts of all involved, from the organizers to the players. The Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High-Performance Centre’s commitment to promoting grassroots hockey and creating a nurturing environment for young talents is commendable. The future of hockey in Odisha looks bright, thanks to initiatives like these.
