Utkal University organises inter-college hockey tournament

Bhubaneswar: A two-day men’s and women’s inter-college hockey tournament was held at the Biju Pattnaik multi-purpose stadium on the campus of Utkal University.

Vice-chancellor Professor Sabita Acharya inaugurated the tournament and was accompanied by the Registrar Dr. Avaya Kumar Nayak and Comptroller of Finance Gautama Pradhan.

With Odisha hosting the hockey World Cup next year, Prof Acharya mentioned about the contribution of Odisha players who played for India.

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Director of Sports Council of Utkal University, Prof. Satya Swarup Debashis inspired the athletes as the keynote speaker, while the coordinator of the tournament, Dr. Kirti Ranjan Mallik conducted the meeting.

Five colleges participated, with Niswas College winning the men’s title while Regional Degree College, Dhenkanal finished runner-up.

In the women’s event, a thrilling final was played out between Dhenkanal Autonomous College and Parimal College.

Pradeep Kumar Samantarai took charge of coordinating the tournament while Ganesh Kanungo, Viswaranjan Sarangi were the selectors and Ardhendu Das were present as observers. Dr. Mallik thanked Sports Council officers Shakti Ranjan Senapati, Ambika Prasad Ray and other workers for developing the multi-purpose stadium and preparing the hockey ground in a short period of time.