Mohali: The RoundGlass Punjab Hockey Academy (RGPHA), has won a bronze in the prestigious 7th SNBP All India Hockey Tournament (Boy’s U-16), held at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi, Pune, between October 1-7, 2023. Making their debut at the Hockey India (HI) recognized tournament, the RGPHA colts gave a tremendous account of themselves, winning four of their five games, only going down to eventual champions Army Sports Boys Company, Bengaluru, 3-4 in a thrilling semi-final. They then went on to trounce hosts SNBP Hockey Academy, Pune, 5-1 in the bronze medal match, to clinch a deserving medal.
Amandeep Singh of RGPHA took home the Best Defender of the Tournament prize also becoming their highest goal scorer in the tournament scoring 12 goals, while the squad was richer by INR 30,000 for their efforts. Following Amandeep, Samuel stood out as the second highest goal scorer for RGPHA with nine goals to his kitty, while the goal-keeping duo of Sehajdeep Singh and Jeevan played a stellar role in the championship safeguarding the goal posts conceding only nine goals as opposed to a whopping 51 scored by the team. In the final, the Army Boys defeated Dhyan Chand Hockey Academy 4-3 to win gold.
Delighted at the outcome, Rajinder Singh (Sr.), Technical Lead, RGPHA, said, “We at RoundGlass sports have been at the forefront of reviving the once powerful and successful sports culture in Punjab and channelling the energy of the youth. Such achievements provide a huge boost to our mission and inspire us to work even harder. The RGPHA boys played an attacking and attractive style of hockey that won hearts. We congratulate the team, the coaches, and the support staff for this victory. We wish them more glory days going forward and pledge to keep supporting them in every possible way we can.”
The RGPHA team won both their pool games comfortably to begin with, including a 27-0 pasting of Anwar Hockey Academy, Pratapgarh. They then dominated State Sports Hostel, Jhansi, 6-2 to win their quarter-final match. In the semi-final, despite taking an early lead through a penalty corner, the RGPHA team could not hold on as the Army boys pipped them in a seven-goal thriller.
A total of 24 teams from 15 states participated in the All-India Tournament where a total prize money of INR 3.80 lakhs was distributed.
