Punjab lifts 72nd All India Police Hockey title

LG Manoj Sinha and RR Swain, DGP J&K posing with winning team at Jammu on Thursday.
LG Manoj Sinha and RR Swain, DGP J&K posing with winning team at Jammu on Thursday.

*Sports inspire youth to be fearless, challenges youth to achieve new milestones, has power to unite people, society, nations: LG

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 8: The 10 days long 72nd All India Police Hockey Championship organised by J&K Police concluded today at K.K Hakku Stadium here today. Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha who was chief guest on the occasion distributed prizes among winners & runners up teams.
In final match of the championship between Punjab Police and BSF, Punjab Police clinched the title match by 3-0 goals. The goal scorers were Depinderdeep Singh, Karanbir Singh and Varinder Singh. Player of the match was declared Balwinder Singh for his brilliant performance.
Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha congratulated the J&K Police and all participating teams. He also felicitated the best performing teams and players on the occasion. In his address, the LG lauded the significant contribution of the Police and Security personnel to the society and the nation.
“I am proud of Police and Security Forces. I bow to their magnificent heroism and selfless sacrifice to safeguard country’s integrity and sovereignty,” the LG said. Sports inspire the youth to be fearless. Sports challenges the youth to achieve the new milestones. Sports have the power to unite the people, society and the nations, Sinha observed.
He said the participation of more than 700 players from different States & UTs and strong display of Nari Shakti in this tournament signifies that with greater determination, teamwork and unity, we can overcome any challenge. “Sports create constant challenges in life so that in our journey of nation building there is no stagnation but dynamism and every moment something new is created which makes the nation stronger,” he said.
He also paid homage to the Hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand and appreciated the incredible arrangements and the impressive performances of all the players. A total of 25 men and 9 women teams participated in the tournament. Earlier, the Lieutenant Governor inspected and took salute at an impressive march past by the players of different teams. A souvenir of the tournament was also released by the Lieutenant Governor.
DGP J&K R.R Swain praised all the participating teams for their dedication and sportsmanship throughout the tournament, highlighting the importance of such events in fostering camaraderie and unity among the law enforcement agencies.
The DGP said that it is an honour to J&K Police given by AIPSCB to organise such a national level event. He said that within a short notice the responsibility was entrusted upon J&K Police and the organizing committee who worked hard to make this event a grand success.
The DGP said that J&K Police besides fighting on forefront against multiple challenges during the over last three decades is sharing the responsibility of providing different platforms to the youth of J&K as well as to its own personnel in the field of sports.
Additional Director IB, MHA Dr Mahesh Dixit speaking on behalf of Chairman AIPSCB said that the successful conduct of this competition is a testament to the dedication and hard work put in by the officers and personnel of the Jammu and Kashmir Police. Managing such major sporting events is a huge challenge in itself, he said. He on behalf of chairman AIPSC Board expressed heartfelt gratitude to Jammu and Kashmir Police for organizing this wonderful event and hospitality.
Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor; RR Swain, DGP J&K; Dr Mahesh Dixit, Additional Director, IB; Vijay Kumar, ADGP Law & Order; Anand Jain, ADGP Jammu; Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, senior officials of Police, Security Forces and UT administration, prominent sports personalities, sports enthusiasts and hockey lovers were present.
Meanwhile, in the hard-line match between CISF and CRPF won by CRPF by 4-0 goals. The goal scorers were Saroj Ekka (1st Goal), 2nd goal Lovejeet Singh, 3rd & 4th goal scored by Mohd Wasiullah Khan. The player of match was declared Jaskaran Kumar.
The best goalkeeper of the championship was declared Paras Malhotra of Punjab. Player of the championship was declared Varinder Singh of Punjab. Fair Play Trophy won Jammu and Kashmir Police. CRPF clinched third place in men’s hockey and second placed secured by BSF.
In Women category, best goalkeeper of the championship was Kalyani Kindoo (CRPF), player of the tournament was declared Neha Sharma was (CRPF), the fair play award given to Gujarat. CRPF clinched the trophy, second place was secured by SSB and third place was secured by Odisha Police.

I am proud of Police and Security Forces. I bow to their magnificent heroism and selfless sacrifice to safeguard country’s integrity and sovereignty: Sinha