Rourkela: The SAIL Hockey Academy, established by Rourkela Steel Plant, has won the 8th Vinod Khandekar Under 21 All India Gold Cup Hockey Tournament held at Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, from January 23 to 31.

There were 20 teams from all over India were in the fray. The SAIL team had an easier outing in the league-level as it hardly had to stretch to limit or anywhere near as the score lines suggested. In first league match, the SAIL team beat convincingly trouncing Bhopal Hockey XI 7-0. This was followed by a severe drubbing of the Sports Authority of India, Calcutta 11-0. In the third match, the SAIL team faced little challenges. The Lucknow Sports Hostel, Uttar Pradesh, gave it a fight as the final scoreline showed, 5-3, in favour of the SHA.

The semi-final and the final witnessed the SAIL team sweating a little. In the semi-final, the SAIL team defeated Tamil Nadu Hockey XI 5-2 to reach the finals. In the final, the SAIL team beat Railway Hockey Academy, Bhusawal, Maharastra, 5-2 to win the championship.

The icing on the cake came in the form of two of its players being adjudged as the best. T.H. Kingson Singh and Suraj Kandulana bagged the best mid-fielder and best forward titles, respectively in the tournament. "I am proud that we helped our academy win and I look forward to play for my country," said Singh. Kandulana said: "We are the best and will be the best." Both Singh and Kandulana are fans of Birendra Lakra, a national regular and academy product. "When I see Lakra bhai I feel motivated and this is the outcome," said Kandulana.

The victorious team was extended a warm welcome at the railway station by the sports unit of Rourkela Steel Plant. CEO of Rourkela Steel Plant, Ashwini Kumar, congratulated the wining team. He said: "The team has not only brought laurels for Rourkela Steel Plant and the steel city but for the entire state."

Earlier, the SAIL Hockey Academy team had won a national level tournament - The Shri Nawagrah Trophy All India Invitation Hockey Tournament -organised at Khargon in Madhya Pradesh from January 18 to 20.

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