Sports: The Senior Men’s National Hockey Championship kicked off with a bang, showcasing spectacular performances from Manipur and Madhya Pradesh (MP), both of whom secured overwhelming victories against their opponents.
In Pool H, Manipur delivered a commanding display, crushing Bihar with a staggering score of 19-1. The match saw standout performances from Cyril Lugun, Ningombam Jenjen Singh, Laishram Dipu Singh, and Bhakar Ningobam, each netting hat-tricks to propel their team to victory.
Their impressive scoring came at key moments, with goals registered at 9’, 21’, 52’ for Lugun; 19’, 23’, 50’ for Singh; and multiple strikes from Dipu Singh and Ningobam.
Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh left spectators in awe with their incredible 29-0 rout of Andaman & Nicobar in Pool C. The team’s dominance was highlighted by Yousuf Affan, who scored a remarkable double hat-trick with goals at 8’, 21’, 30’, 39’, 42’, and 55’.
Supporting him were Mohammad Zaid Khan, who scored five times, and Akshay Dubey, who added four goals to the tally. Additionally, Mohd. Nizamudding and Mohd Umar each recorded hat-tricks, further demonstrating MP’s attacking prowess.
The opening day also featured other notable matches, with Uttar Pradesh defeating Kerala 6-0 in Pool F. Arun Sahani led the scoring for Uttar Pradesh with two goals, complemented by efforts from captain Lalit Kumar Upadhyay and others. In Pool D, Karnataka triumphed over Uttarakhand with a decisive 10-0 victory, while Chandigarh secured a 5-0 win against Tripura, who forfeited the match.
The day concluded with Tamil Nadu showcasing their skills against Andhra Pradesh, finishing with a resounding 7-0 victory. Captain Karthi S played a pivotal role, scoring two goals and contributing to a well-rounded team performance.
As the championship unfolds, the spotlight remains on the formidable performances of Manipur and Madhya Pradesh, setting a high bar for the teams yet to compete in this thrilling tournament.
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