MARGAO
Sunday Sultan and Republicans won the titles at 1st Open Veterans and 7th Open Women’s Hockey 5s tournament, respectively, at SAG hockey turf practice field, Peddem Sports Complex, Mapusa. Young Sports Hockey Club, Mapusa hosted the league-cum-knockout championships.
The veterans category was for players above 40 with one player per team allowed in the 35-39 age group. “The tournament was a huge success with nine teams participating in the Open Veterans category and seven teams in the Open Women’s category,” the organisers said.
In the veterans category, Sunday Sultan beat Republicans 3-1. Karl, Stanley and Sameer scored for Sultan while Conroy scored one goal for the Republicans. The tournament had good crowd support, largely led by families and close friends of the players, bringing a much-needed boost for the promotion of hockey in the State, supported by the Sports Authority of Goa and Beny Viegas, General Secretary, Goans Hockey.
In the women’s category, Republicans overcame a tough fight from Young Sports HC, winning the final 3-1. For Republicans, Lily, Sanggai Chingshubam and Suraj Lata Devi scored a goal each as Nikita Naik scored an early goal for the hosts to make it an interesting final.
Awards: Best Goalkeeper Veterans - Brian D’souza, Sunday Sultan, Best Goalkeeper Women’s - Pavina Salgaonkar, Young Sports HC, Best Defender Veterans - Conroy Remedios, Republicans, Best Defender Women’s - Asem Manorama, Republicans, Best Player of the tournament Veterans - Karl Gomes, Sunday Sultan, Best Player of the tournament Women’s - Lily, Republicans.
