Hockey
Madhya Pradesh crowned senior women's national hockey champions
Madhya Pradesh were crowned champions of the 13th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship 2023.
Hockey Madhya Pradesh Team from 2021
Madhya Pradesh were crowned champions of the 13th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship 2023 in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, after defeating Maharashtra 5-1 in the Final.
Madhya Pradesh relied on penalty corners to overcome Maharashtra in today’s Final with Diksha Tiwari (2’, 4’) converting two early in the game.
With just enough time left, Lalrindiki (25') scored to give Hockey Maharashtra some hope, but Manmeet Kaur (38'), Preeti Dubey (42'), and Aishwarya Chavan (42') scored for Hockey Madhya Pradesh to clinch the title.
"I cannot believe that we have actually won, I cannot believe that we put out such a great performance in the end, and I cannot believe that my parents got to watch it live from their home," Madhya Pradesh's Pratibha Arya said as she accepted her Player of the Match Award.
"I can't even fathom how proud they must be right now," she added.
Jharkhand wins bronze
On the other hand, Jharkhand defeated Haryana 2-1 in the third-place match.
Roshni Dungdung (25') scored to give her team a slender lead, Reshma Soreng (59') doubled the lead at the very end, but Haryana's Devika Sen (60') pulled one back to give her team a sliver of hope, but they failed to capitalise on this opportunity, and the match ended in Jharkhand's favour.
Albela Rani Toppo was seen competing for every single ball, and her outstanding performance on the day earned her the Player of the Match Award.
"The game was on edge throughout but the team kept their composure all along, believing that we can make amends for the loss yesterday. Receiving the Player of the Match Award is something I will remember for the rest of my life, but it is all because of my teammates' support; I couldn't have done it without them," she said after the game.
Best player Awards
Best Goalkeeper - Sonal Minj (Hockey Jharkhand)
Best Defender - Pratibha Arya (Hockey Madhya Pradesh)
Best Midfielder - Manashri Narendra Shedage (Hockey Maharashtra)
Best Forward - Albela Rani Toppo (Hockey Jharkhand)
