Angul: Sports Hostel Cuttack emerged champions in the OP Jindal Memorial football tournament at Angul’s Kadam Padia.
After 12 days of thrilling action featuring 12 state-level teams from across Odisha, Sports Hostel Cuttack pipped Bargarh United 6-5 in a dramatic penalty shootout in the final.
Avinash Kishan of Sports Hostel Cuttack received the best player of the final award.
Bargarh United’s Raju Behera was adjudged best player of the tournament, while his teammate Sidharth Pradhan was presented the best goalkeeper award.
Sampad Chandra Swain, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Industries, Skill Development & Technical Education, was the chief guest on the final day. Among other dignitaries present were Angul MLA Pratap Chandra Pradhan, Chhendipada MLA Agasti Behera, Angul Municipality chairman Akhay Kumar Samant, Jindal Steel ED (Projects) Damodar Mittal, CHRO Dilip Kumar Sinha and EVP Prasanna Kumar Panda.
State minister Sampad Swain appreciated the efforts of Jindal Steel and Jindal Foundation towards promoting sports culture among the youth and undertaking numerous social initiatives in and around the district. He said the BJP government is committed to providing proper infrastructure for sports enthusiasts in every block of the state, with funds being sanctioned to construct modern stadiums.