Befitting tribute to the legacy of KD Singh Babu

Lucknow: The 42nd All India KD Singh ‘Babu’ Men’s Invitation Prize Money Hockey Competition, held from October 4 to 12, 2024, at the Padma Shri Mohd. Shahid Synthetic Hockey Stadium in Vijayantkhand, Gomtinagar, Lucknow, stands as a testament to the vibrant and evolving hockey culture in Uttar Pradesh. Organized by the Regional Sports Office under the aegis of the Sports Department of Uttar Pradesh, the tournament saw intense competition among India's top hockey teams, competing for pride and a considerable prize pool.

The Inauguration and Acknowledgment of Hockey Legends

The grand event was inaugurated by Alok Kumar, Principal Secretary, Sports and Youth Welfare Department, Uttar Pradesh, in the presence of several esteemed guests, including Suhas LY, Secretary, Uttar Pradesh Government and Paralympic silver medalist. Alok Kumar lit the ceremonial lamp, paying homage to the legendary KD Singh ‘Babu’—a national hockey icon after whom the competition is named. Following the lamp lighting, Alok Kumar honored Suhas LY, who has brought laurels to the country with his top-ranking position in the Paralympics. The gathering included several dignitaries, Olympians, and sports enthusiasts, including Syed Ali (Olympian), Rajneesh Mishra, Mukul Shah, Mohd. Imran, and Ranjana Gupta, among others, reflecting the deep cultural connection and respect for hockey in the region.

First Day Highlights: A Competitive Start

The competition began with two matches on October 4, 2024. The first match, a close contest, was played between CRPF and GST Central Chennai. GST Central Chennai opened the scorecard with a field goal by Almaz Khan in the 9th minute. However, CRPF made a quick comeback, equalizing through Lovejit Singh, who converted a penalty corner in the 11th minute. Almaz scored another goal through a penalty stroke in the 16th minute, but Lovejit once again equalized in the 32nd minute. In the 40th minute, Mohd. Washiullah Khan of CRPF took the lead for his team with a 3-2 score, but GST’s Sujin Jarpula equalized again in the 53rd minute. The hard-fought match ended in a 3-3 draw.

The second match saw Army XI go up against Punjab & Sindh Bank (PSB). The PSB team, led by Paramveer Singh, scored first with a penalty corner in the 19th minute. However, Army XI equalized in the 33rd minute through Johnson Purti, only to fall behind again when Mandeep Singh scored for PSB. Army XI retaliated strongly, with Manish Rajbhar and Ramandeep Singh scoring back-to-back goals to put their team ahead at 3-2. But PSB bounced back once more, scoring twice in the 45th and 57th minutes to clinch the match 4-3.

Dominant Displays on Day Two

On October 5, 2024, the third match of the competition witnessed UP XI take on GST Central Chennai. The UP XI team showcased complete dominance in the game, defeating GST Central Chennai by a resounding 6-0 margin. Ajeet Yadav, Shivam Anand, Shahrukh Ali, Akash Yadav, Shivam Dubey, and Manish Sahni were the goal scorers, highlighting UP XI’s offensive prowess.

In the fourth match of the day, Mumbai Customs triumphed over PSB with a score of 5-2. Aniket Gaurav, Iktidar Ishrat, Roshan Ikka, Dhairyasheel Jadhav, and Naman Sharma scored for Mumbai Customs, while PSB’s Jaskaran Singh and Paramveer Singh found the back of the net for their team. Despite PSB’s efforts, Mumbai Customs controlled the game and secured a well-deserved victory.

Thrilling Semi-Finals

The semi-final stage of the tournament raised the stakes. In the first semi-final, CAG Delhi narrowly defeated Indian Oil with a score of 3-2. Ujjwal Singh of Indian Oil opened the scoring with a penalty stroke in the 29th minute, but CAG Delhi responded with three goals, courtesy of Rohit, Aamir Khan Pathan, and Manish Yadav. Indian Oil attempted a comeback with a goal from Afan Yusuf in the final minute, but CAG Delhi held on to advance to the final.

The second semi-final saw UP XI dominate Customs Mumbai with a convincing 4-1 victory. Ketan Kushwaha was the standout performer, scoring two goals, while Akash Pal and Shahrukh Ali added to the tally. Customs Mumbai managed a consolation goal through Moise Pullanthara, but it wasn’t enough to prevent UP XI from marching into the final.

Hard-Line Match: Indian Oil Secures Third Place

Before the final, Indian Oil and Mumbai Customs faced off in the hard-line match to determine third place. Indian Oil displayed a strong performance, winning 4-2. Gurjinder Singh opened the scoring for Indian Oil with a penalty corner in the first minute, and his teammates Vikramjeet Singh and Afan Yousuf followed up with goals to establish a commanding 4-1 lead. Despite a late goal from Mumbai Customs’ Roshan Minj, Indian Oil secured third place.

Grand Finale: UP XI Clinches the Title After 30 Years

The final match, held on October 12, 2024, between UP XI and CAG Delhi, was an intense and thrilling encounter. The title was on the line, and both teams played with passion and determination. CAG Delhi took an early lead in the 9th minute with a goal by Manish Yadav, but UP XI quickly responded with a goal from a penalty corner by Ashu Maurya. CAG Delhi regained the lead in the 20th minute through Aamir Khan Pathan, but UP XI’s resilience shone through once again as Maurya equalized in the 31st minute.

The momentum shifted in favor of UP XI as Rahul Rajbhar and Ajeet Yadav scored back-to-back goals to make it 4-2. Although CAG Delhi’s Manish Yadav managed to pull one goal back in the 56th minute, it wasn’t enough to deny UP XI their first title in 30 years. UP XI emerged victorious with a 4-3 win, marking a historic achievement for the team.

Award Ceremony and Honors

The tournament concluded with a grand award ceremony, where Engr. Avnish Kumar Singh, Member of the Legislative Council of Uttar Pradesh, presented cash prizes to the winning teams. UP XI received ₹2,00,000 for their triumph, while CAG Delhi was awarded ₹1,00,000 as the runner-up. Indian Oil secured ₹50,000 for their third-place finish.

Special awards were also given to individual players who excelled throughout the tournament. Ketan Kushwaha of UP XI was named the best hockey player and received ₹20,000, while Prashant Chauhan was recognized as the best goalkeeper. Other notable awardees included Roshan Ikka (best fullback), Aafan Younus (best forward), and Ganesh Majhi (best half), all receiving ₹10,000 each.

The 42nd All India KD Singh ‘Babu’ Men’s Invitation Prize Money Hockey Tournament was a resounding success, bringing together some of India’s finest hockey talent. UP XI’s victory after three decades symbolized the revival of hockey in the region, and the tournament provided a platform for showcasing emerging talents. The dedication of the organizers, the enthusiasm of the fans, and the exemplary sportsmanship displayed by the teams made the competition a memorable event in Indian hockey.