IRA International School, Butibori, and Madan Gopal High School emerged champions in the girls and boys categories respectively of the Keshavrao Madne Memorial Hockey Tournament at Tiger’s Gap ground on Thursday. In girls’ final, Ira International School outplayed Gyan Vidya Mandir (GVM) 3-1 to claim the title. Ira opened the scoring in the 6th minute when centre forward Maithili Metkar, receiving a pass from Parinita Kalbhore, trapped the ball deftly inside the circle and slotted it home. GVM fought back quickly, equalising in the 9th minute through Unnati Gube’s successful penalty corner conversion. Ira regained the lead in the 13th minute courtesy captain Maitree Thakare, who found the target with composure. Thakare then sealed the victory with a brilliant solo effort in the 34th minute, taking the score to 3-1 at full-time. The boys final turned out to be a high-voltage affair between St John’s High School and Madan Gopal High School which the latter won 2-1. St John’s drew first blood in the 3rd minute when Rakshit Ranasingh converted a pass from Gaurav

 

Jain to beat goalkeeper Samer Bamnel. Madan Gopal responded swiftly with Nilesh Gupta scoring the equaliser in the 8th minute from open play. The match remained intense, but Madan Gopal edged ahead in the 32nd minute through Sumit Bamnel’s strike. Despite St John’s persistent efforts, their forwards lacked the finishing touch in the circle, allowing Madan Gopal to hold on for a 2-1 win. The prizes were distributed by newly-elected corporators Yogita Telang and Madhuri Tekam (Fulsunge), Vinod Kenehare and Abhijeet Jha, and NDUHA President Vinod Trivedi. Cash prizes of Rs 5000 to winners and Rs 2500 were given in both categories. Jyoti Varier and Pramod Jain, Secretary, NDUHA, proposed vote of thanks. Mamta Trivedi (President, VWHA), Sunil Madne (Secretary, VWHA), Jaya Mudliar, Madam Sarin, Shaila Sakhare, Kanhaiya Fulsunge, Noel Joseph, Vivek Siriah, Satish Fulsunge, Kuldeep Reddy, Purusottam Madne, Kishor Jichkar, Mahesh Madne, Ravi Francis, Miller Francis, Joe D’Souza, Sheetal Singh Thakur, Bhawan Madne, Shoeb Khan, and Shanawaz Khan were also present.