The Railways Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) has once again solidified its position as the leading force in Indian women’s hockey. They delivered a commanding 5-1 performance against the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) in the grand finale of the fifth Women’s Inter-Department National Championships, held at the prestigious Shivaji Stadium this Saturday.
India’s vice-captain, Navneet Kaur, was the undisputed star, dazzling the crowd with a magnificent hat-trick. Her superb goals were complemented by single strikes from Salima Tete and Sangita Kumari, proving too much for the opposition. Despite some truly impressive saves by IOC’s goalkeeper, Bichu Devi, the Railways’ offensive power was unstoppable. A late consolation goal from Jyoti in the final seconds was far too little to turn the tide for the former champions.
In the tense bronze medal playoff, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) emerged victorious, defeating the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) with a decisive 4-1 scoreline. Vartika Rawat was instrumental for SAI, netting a crucial brace.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the results:
Final Match:
- RSPB: 5 goals (Navneet Kaur 9th, 21st, 54th minutes; Salima Tete 39th minute; Sangita Kumari 52nd minute)
- IOC: 1 goal (Jyoti 60th minute)
Third Place Playoff:
- SAI: 4 goals (Vartika Rawat 16th, 46th minutes; Aishwarya Chavan 39th minute; Prini Kandir 41st minute)
- CBDT: 1 goal (Vaishnavi Phalke 44th minute)
Individual Awards:
- Player of the Final: Navneet Kaur (RSPB) – recognized for her pivotal hat-trick performance.
- Best Forward: Sangita Kumari (RSPB) – celebrated for her exceptional attacking prowess.
- Best Midfielder: Marina Lalramnghaki (SAI) – acknowledged for her outstanding control and playmaking in midfield.
- Best Goalkeeper: Bichu Devi (IOC) – honored for her resilience and crucial saves under immense pressure.
- Player of the Tournament: Navneet Kaur (RSPB) – a testament to her consistent, high-impact contributions throughout the entire championship.