Jharsuguda students excel in hockey

Jharsuguda: The introduction of hockey to Jharsuguda district began in April 2021, following the formation of the Mo School Club. Through the initiative of then-District Magistrate Saroj Kumar Samal, former Odisha state player and Panposh Hostel alumna Manju Lakra was appointed as a temporary coach at Navodaya Vidyalaya. This step successfully launched structured hockey training for the school’s residential boys and girls.

The inaugural hockey tournament commenced at the 2nd OSAP ground, featuring six participating schools: Saint Mary School, DAV, Government School-Sarbahal, Ghanashyam Hemlata, Gandgora, and Orient Colliery School. Navodaya Vidyalaya dominated the competition, clinching first place in both the boys’ and girls’ categories. Government Vidyalaya-Sarbahal secured the runner-up spot for the boys, while DAV finished second in the girls’ division.

Through the efforts of Saroj Kumar Samal, Vedanta awarded trophies to four winning hockey teams and provided equipment to six others. The girls’ hockey team from Navodaya Vidyalaya, Jharsuguda, won first place, advanced to the Nehru Cup, and reached the second round after winning their opening match. In 2022, Jharsuguda competed in the inter-district tournament, advancing past the second round in the senior, junior, and sub-junior categories for both boys and girls. Additionally, the sub-junior girls’ and boys’ teams reached the quarter-finals.

To promote hockey in 2023, the junior hockey teams of Jharsuguda district were divided into three zones: Kirimira on April 7 and OPJC on April 14, culminating in a two-day final tournament starting May 13 at the Vedanta college grounds. This zonal structure successfully enabled players from the sub-district level to participate.

In 2024, six teams representing Jharsuguda district—covering senior boys and girls, junior boys and girls, and sub-junior boys and girls—participated in the inter-district competition. The sub-junior girls team reached the quarter-finals, while the remaining five teams advanced to the second round. Building on this momentum, the district’s girls’ team finished as runners-up in the Odisha Inter-School Competition. Individual achievements also shone through: four students from Senthamarai English School earned selection for the Odisha CISCE School Team, and five students (three girls and two boys) from Kirmira Eklavya Model Residential School and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya secured places in the Hockey National School Team.