Gill Club, Ghawaddi, and HTC Rampur emerged as champions in the senior and junior categories, respectively, at the 16th JST Olympian Prithipal Singh Hockey Festival. The tournament was organized by the Mata Sahib Kaur Sports Charitable Trust, Jarkhar, at the Jarkhar Sports Stadium.
Senior Final: Gill Club Victorious
In the senior final, Gill Club made history by defeating Neeta Club, Rampur, with a score of 6-4. This marked the first time the Ghawaddi team secured the championship. The match, played under floodlights in a packed stadium, provided thrilling action for the spectators.
Junior Final: HTC Rampur Triumphs
The junior category also witnessed a first-time winner as HTC Rampur edged past Kila Raipur Hockey Centre 1-0 in a tightly contested final. The victory was hard-earned, with both teams displaying exceptional skill and determination.
Third-Place Playoffs
Earlier, in the senior third-place playoff, Jarkhar Hockey Academy defeated Amargarh 6-4. In the junior category, Guru Teg Bahadur Academy, Chachrari, overcame Jarkhar Academy 5-4 to secure third place.
Individual Awards
Dalvir Singh from Gill Club and Rajvir Singh from HTC Rampur were named heroes of the tournament in their respective categories. Other standout performers included Manpreet Singh Mani from Neeta Club, Kasampreet Singh from Kila Raipur, Rajvir Singh from Jarkhar Academy, and Parminder Singh from Chachrari. Each of these players received a premium bicycle in recognition of their achievements.
Cultural Performances and Dignitaries
Adding vibrancy to the grand finale, children from Dragon Academy captivated the audience with Punjabi cultural performances, turning the stadium into a celebration of sport, culture, and community spirit. Among the dignitaries present at the closing ceremony were kabaddi superstar Pala Jalalpura, Arjuna awardee Sajjan Singh Cheema, noted sports patron Surinder Singh Bhapa, and Punjabi folk singer Jaswant Singh Sandila.
Financial Support
In a significant boost for the festival, the JST Truck Permit Group announced financial assistance of Rs 1.5 lakh, reaffirming its commitment to promoting grassroots sports.
Organizer's Remarks
Festival organizer Jagroop Singh Jarkhar expressed gratitude to the players, supporters, sponsors, and volunteers for making the event a resounding success. He noted that the overwhelming response from spectators reflected the state's enduring passion for hockey and village-level sports.
