Odisha Men’s and Women’s Hockey Teams Advance to Khelo India Youth Games Semi-Finals

Chennai: In a thrilling showcase of skill and determination, both the Odisha Men’s and Women’s Hockey Teams have secured coveted spots in the Semi-Finals of the 6th Khelo India Youth Games 2023, unfolding in Chennai.

The Women’s Team displayed remarkable prowess by securing a 5-1 victory against Jharkhand, followed by a narrow 3-2 win over Punjab. Although they faced a tough challenge against Haryana, ending in a close 1-2 defeat, their impressive performance secured them a second-place finish in Pool B.

On the other hand, the Men’s Team dominated their Pool A matches with three consecutive victories. They kicked off their campaign with a resounding 6-1 win against Tamil Nadu and followed it up with triumphant performances against Madhya Pradesh (2-1) and Punjab (5-1), securing the top spot in Pool A.

Expressing satisfaction with the teams’ performances, David John, Director of Hockey Odisha, commented, “I’m really happy with the performances of both the teams so far in the tournament. The first target of qualifying for the knockouts has been achieved, now the focus is on making the most out of the last two matches. We have the best chances to finish on the podium, but the key will be to keep the momentum going.”

“These are very young players, and they are getting valuable experience in what is a very competitive set-up. We’ve crossed the hurdle of the pool stage that had strong teams; now onto the next one,” he added.

Looking ahead, the Women’s Team will face Madhya Pradesh in the Semi-finals, while the Men’s Team is set to encounter the losing team from the last Pool B match between Haryana and Jharkhand. Excitement and anticipation surround these upcoming clashes as both teams aim for a podium finish in this prestigious youth competition.