Hockey: Odisha, Synonymous With Indian Hockey’s Rise, Finally Crowned Men’s National Champions

The state most associated with the growth of Indian hockey – Odisha – finally won the Hockey India Senior Men National Championship title. India international Shilanand Lakra slammed a hat-trick to hand Odisha the senior men’s National Hockey Championship, beating Haryana 5-1 in the final in Chennai on Saturday. Shilanand (48th, 57th, 60th minutes) scored three goals in a span of 12 minutes, while Rajat Akash Tirkey (11th) seized an early opportunity to give Odisha the lead, scoring from close range. Pratap Lakra (39th) then doubled the lead in the third quarter, converting a penalty stroke. In the fourth quarter, Shilanand rose to the occasion for Odisha. Haryana’s lone goal was scored by Joginder Singh (55th).

One of the stalwarts to have emerged from Odisha, former India captain and current Hockey India president posted a congratulatory message on X: “The long wait is over. History is made by our Odisha men’s hockey team.”

Naveen Patnaik, former Chief Minister of Odisha who has been involved with the sport for a long time, shared his appreciation on X. He posted, “Congratulate Odisha Hockey Team on lifting the maiden national title at the 14th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship in Chennai. May the team continue its superb performance and win laurels for the state. Best wishes.” Current CM Mohan Charan Majhi also shared, “Huge congratulations to the Odisha Hockey team on clinching their historic first-ever gold medal,” adding that it marked a major milestone for the state.

In the battle for third place, Uttar Pradesh Hockey defeated Manipur Hockey, 2-1. Uttar Pradesh Hockey’s Captain, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay (6’) broke the deadlock in the first quarter. A precise long ball from Rajkumar Pal found Iktidar Ishrat who squared it to Lalit for a quick tap-in. Deep in the third quarter, Moirangthem Rabichandra Singh (43′) found the equaliser for Manipur Hockey as a result of a Penalty Corner. In the final quarter, Uttar Pradesh Hockey reclaimed the lead when Rajkumar Pal (54’) burst through the right flank with silky stickwork and found the back of the net to secure the victory.

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