Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High Performance Centre defeat NCC Lucknow 4-3 in thrilling final; Manesh Naik named Best Player of the Tournament
JAMSHEDPUR: The Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High Performance Centre (ONTHHPC) boys’ team has emerged champion of the prestigious 54th Nehru Junior Hockey Tournament (Boys Under-17), defeating NCC Lucknow 4-3 in an exciting Grand Finale at Shivaji Stadium, New Delhi.
The victory marks ONTHHPC’s return to the championship podium after a gap of three years. The team reclaimed the coveted title for the first time since 2023, delivering an impressive performance throughout the competition.
The ONTHHPC boys displayed exceptional determination, teamwork and fighting spirit to overcome their opponents and lift the prestigious trophy.
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Impressive journey to the final
ONTHHPC began its tournament campaign with a convincing 4-2 victory over Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 37-D, Chandigarh, in the opening group-stage match.
The team maintained its winning momentum with another 4-2 victory against Sonipat, securing a place in the semi-finals.
In the semi-final, ONTHHPC faced a formidable challenge from Naval Tata Hockey Academy, Jamshedpur. Demonstrating composure and attacking strength, the team registered another 4-2 victory to secure its place in the Grand Finale.
Thrilling 4-3 victory over NCC Lucknow
The much-awaited final against NCC Lucknow turned into a closely contested encounter, with both teams fighting hard for the championship title.
However, ONTHHPC displayed remarkable resilience and composure under pressure to secure a thrilling 4-3 victory and reclaim the championship after three years.
Adding to the team’s success, Manesh Naik was adjudged the Best Player of the Tournament in recognition of his outstanding performances throughout the competition.
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Captain Amitabh congratulates the team
Congratulating the players, Captain Amitabh, CEO of Hockey Ace Foundation, said the championship victory was a proud moment for the entire ONTHHPC family.
He said winning the Nehru Junior Hockey Tournament after three years reflected the dedication, discipline and hard work of the young players, coaches and support staff.
He particularly appreciated the team’s character and ability to handle pressure during the final, adding that such achievements reinforced the organisation’s commitment to nurturing young hockey talent and providing promising players with the right platform to excel at the highest level.
He congratulated the entire team and expressed hope that the achievement would inspire the players to reach even greater heights.
A significant achievement for Indian junior hockey
The championship victory highlights the continued efforts of the Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High Performance Centre in developing young hockey talent through quality coaching, discipline and competitive exposure.
By reclaiming the prestigious title after a three-year gap, ONTHHPC has once again demonstrated its growing strength in Indian junior hockey and strengthened its contribution towards nurturing the country’s future hockey stars.
