Bihar contingent for 34th National Games leaves Patna

Patna, February 12, 201: Bihar contingent for the 34th National Games that began in Ranchi on Saturday left Patna on February 10 to participate in the mega show.

Bihar Olympic Association (BOA) secretary Md Mushtaque Ahmad said Bihar would took part in the 12 events out 33.

Bihar Art, Culture and Youth Affairs Minister Sukhda Pandey flagged off the team.

Athletics (men): Amit Kr Singh, Sachin Kumar, Prem Prakesh Gupta, Dilip Kumar Tiwari, Sadashiv Pandey, Kundan Kumar, Sumit Kumar, Mukesh Kumar, Pradeep Kumar, Md Sazid Alam, Chunmun Kumar, Satish Kumar, Sugrib Kumar, Vim Bahadur Limbu, Sanjay Roy, Shambhu Nath Shukla, Harun Ansari, Dharmendra Kumar, Santosh Kumar, Shakti Kumar, Amit Mazumdar, Virbahadur Singh, Kushal Kumar, Shamsher Khan, Ranjit Ranjan Ojha, Izahar Khan, Sumas Tohidd (Coach), Md Irshad Ahmad (coach), Sanjay Kumar Singh (manager).

Women: Sunanda Sarkar, Sharmila Baig, Veena Kumari, Khushaboo Kumari, Vandana Kumari, Phultushi Kumari, Archana Bara, Jyoti Sosan Nayar, Jaswant Kumar Singh (coach), Shatrughan Prasad (coach), Jainandra Singh (manager)

Boxing (men): Md Gulam Goush, Anil Kumar, Biswajeet Kumar (coach) and Rajesh Ashthana (manager).

Women: Mamta, Dipika Tiwari, Goutam Kumar Mandal (coach) and Raj Kumar Ranjan (manager).

Gymnastics (men): Surendra Kumar Vishwakarma, Arun Kumar Tripathi, Raj Kumar (coach), Nilesh Kumar Mandal (manager).

Karate (men): Sagar Kumar Lee, Praveen Kumar, Pankaj Kambali (coach), Vyomkesh (manager)

Squash (men): Aditya Raj, Prabhajeet Singh, Shivam Kant, Md Jahid Raja (coach), Anupriya (manager).

Women: Soni Kumari, Jyoti Singh, Punam Kumari, Abhay Kumar (coach), Anupriya (manager).

Swimming (men): Krishna Kumar Jha, Kanchan Kumar, Varun Kumar, Ravindra Rajbhar, Ritesh Kumar, Sagar Kumar, Sarjeet Gosh, Manoj Kumar Jha (coach), Krishna Mohan Singh (manager).

Women: Baby Kumari, Neha Singh, Urvigata Kriti, Payal Pandit, Kumud Verma (coach), Dr Sayeed Shan Haider (manager).

Shooting (men): Mritunjay Singh, Chandrashekhar Kumar, Ashok Kumar, Lav Prakash Sharma, Naresh Kumar, Neeraj Kumar, Kumar Neeraj, Arun Sharma, Kaushal Nougoria (coach) and Jitendra Lal (manager).

Shooting (women): Shreyashi, Meera Kumari, Kaushal Nogoria (coach), Jitendra Lal (manager).

Lawnball (men): Mahip Tirki, Prince Kumar Mahato, Lalit Singh, Chakatu Orach, Alok Larka (coach) and Sanjiv Kumar Verma (manager).

Women: Manisha Shrivastava, Sarita Kumari, Kanchan Kachhap, Bindu Kumari, Sunita (coach) and Savita Kumari (manager).

Triathlon (men): Lalmuni Dubey, Roshan Kumar, Jitendra Kumar, Mukesh Dubey (coach) and Akhilesh Nath Tiwari (manager)

Weightlifting (women): A Ganeshwari Devi, Deyvesh Chandra Roy (coach) and Abhay Prakash (manager)

Wrestling: Bajarangi Yadav, Harivilash Yadav (coach) and Kashim Ahmad (manager).

Photo: Bihar Sports Minister Sukhda Pandey flags off State National Games team in Patna on February 10, 2011.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Mangal Kachap to lead Bihar sub-junior football team

Patna, February 10, 2011: Mangal Kachap will lead a 20-member Bihar team in the 33^rd Sub-Junior National football championships for Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy to be held in Kolkata from February 14, according to a press release of the Bihar Football Association.

Team: Ram Rai Hembram, Nabin Soren, Prabhat Oraon, Sonu Oraon, Manmeet Kumar, Gulshan Kumar, Mangal Kachap (captain), Shshi Kant Chauhan, Kaman Murmur, Dandu Ram Harda, Lakhai Berra, Pawan Khalka, Shrhan, Amit Kumar, Rohit Kumar, Baldar Kumar, Rohit Kumar II, Chuta Lal Mandal, Love Kumar and Krishna Kumar.

Patna crush Buxar to enter Bihar state football championships final

Patna, February 9, 2011: Patna stormed into the final of the 62nd Bihar state football championships for the SM Moinul Haq Trophy thrashing Buxar 4-0 in Buxar on Wednesday.

According to information received here Patna will take on Madhubani for the crown.

Patna dominated the proceedings from the word go. Sanjay Birauli scored two gaols while Devashish Rai and Md Shahbaz netted on goal each for the winners.

Valentine Day throwball from February 14

Patna, February 8, 2011: Throwball Association of Bihar will organise the 9^th Valentine Day throwball championship at the Patna Women’s College ground here from February 14.

According to Throwball Association of Bihar secretary Neeraj Kumar Pappu, the two-day tournament will witness eight women teams vying for top honours.

Zenith Commerce Academy had agreed upon to sponsor the tournament, he said. The tournament will be played on league-cum-knock out basis.

Madhubani reach Bihar state football final

Patna, February 8, 2011: Madhubani cruised into the final of the 62nd Bihar State soccer championship for the SM Moinul Haq Trophy edging out a fighting Aurangabad 2-1 in in Dumraon on Tuesday.

According to information reached here, Madhubani took 1-0 lead at the end of the first half.

Nishant Kumar opened the account in the 34th minute (1-0). Aurangabad brought the score level in the 68th minute through Vipendra Kumar (1-1). Sumeshwar Singh netted the match winner for Madhubani in the 80^th minute (2-1).

Navin, Sandhya claim Bihar carrom titles

Patna, February 7, 2011: Navin Arya of Chapra emerged Bihar men’s singles carrom champion. In the final Navin bounced back after conceding the first game to defeat Neeraj Kumar of Patna 9-21, 20-16, 16-11 in the 21st Bihar state and inter-district carrom championships at LIC hall here on Monday.

Sandhya Sinha won the the women’s singles title beating Guria Rani 0-21, 18-5, 21-12. It was a tough fight for Sandhya in the final as Guria won the first game at 21-0. But experience Sandhya Rani captured the second and third games.

Sudhanshu Shekhar, marketing manager, LIC of India Patna branch, gave away the prizes. Bihar State Carrom Association working president Ravi P Sinha welcomed the guests. Dr Sanjay Kumar, president, Patna District Carrom Association, proposed a vote of thanks.

DLW edge past North Central Railway

Patna, February 7, 2011: Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW), Varanasi, beat North Central Railway, Allahabad 1-0 in a round-robin league match of the All India Railway football championships at the Moinul Haq Stadium here on Monday.

The first half ended in a goalless draw. Nitin Kumar Choudhary scored the all important goal in the fag end of the match.

In the other match of the day, South East Central Railway, Bilaspur, and Integral Coach Factory (ICF) played a goalless draw.

Patna, Buxar enter Moinul Haq Trophy semifinals

Patna, February 7, 2011: Patna thrashed Madhepura 7-0 to enter the semifinals of the 62nd Bihar state football championship for the SM Moinul Haq Trophy in Buxar on Monday.

Buxar too qualified for the semifinals edging out East Champaran 6-5 via sudden death.

Sandeep, Anamika are Patna badminton champs

Patna, February 6, 2011: Kumar Sandeep won the men’s singles title of the Patna district open badminton championships defeating Aman Ranjan 32-21, 18-21, 21-7 in the final at the Secretariat badminton hall here on Sunday.

Anamika bagged the women’s singles beating Gloria Anthony 21-14, 21-17.

Bihar Government’s Chief Secretary Anup Mukherjee was the chief guest in the prize-distribution function and he gave away the prizes.

Final results: Boys U-19: Shubham beat Akash Upadhaya 21-15, 21-15.

Boys U-16: Shubham beat Anusheel Sundram 21-16, 21-18.

Boys U-13: Kunal Kumar Sinha beat Akashdeep 21-18, 11-21, 21-8.

Girls U-19: Gloria beat Sukriti 21-09, 21-10.

Girls U-16: Gloria beat Anamika 21-14, 21-17.

Girls U-13: Amisha Chourasia beat Vibha 21-12, 21-6.

Photo caption: Winners of Patna badminton championships hold aloft their trophies in Patna on February 6, 2011.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Neeraj moves into Bihar carrom semifinals

Patna, February 6, 2011: Neeraj Kumar outplayed AK Sharma 18-14, 21-3 to move into semifinals of the 21^st Bihar State and inter-district carrom championships here on Sunday.

Jalaj Kumar, Navin Arya and Md Mosabir also entered the men’s singles semi-finals.

Guria Rani, Khushboo Rani and Sandhya Sinha got their appointed slots in the women singles semifinals.

Results: Men’s singles (quarterfinals): Neeraj Kumar beat AK Sharma 18-14, 21-3; Jalaj Kumar beat Pawan Kumar 17-16, 4-21, 14-10; Navin Arya beat Manish Jaiswal 21-18, 20-21, 21-7; Md Mosabir beat Z Khan 0-21, 21-0, 21-9.

ICF humble EC Railway

Patna, February 5, 2011: East Central Railway (ECR) Hajipur suffered second consecutive defeat in the All India Railway football championships at the Moinul Haq Stadium here on Saturday. In a round-robin league match Integral Coach Factory (ICF) humbled ECR 6-0 to earn full points.

ICF forward S Fredy netted five goals including a hat-trick in his team’s thumping win. He struck in the 28th, 31st, 56th, 70th and 79th minutes. M Jaggan took the tally to 6-0 in the 83rd minute.

In the second match, North Central Railway, Allahabad earned a lone-goal win over South East Central Railway, Bilaspur.

Photo caption: ICF and ECR players fight for the ball in the All India Railway football tournament in Patna on February 5, 2011.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Semifinalists spotted in Patna Open badminton

Patna, February 5, 2011: Men’s singles semifinalists were spotted in the Patna district Open badminton championship at the Secretariat badminton hall here on Saturday.

Kumar Sandeep, Akash Kumar, Neeraj Kumar and Aman Ranjan booked their berths in the men’s singles semi-finals winning their quarterfinal matches in style.

Results: Men’s singles (quarterfinals): Kumar Sandeep beat Dev Acharya 21-16, 21-13; Akash Kumar beat Ajay Kumar 21-12, 21-13; Neeraj Kumar beat Vimal Vivek 21-19, 19-21, 21-17 and Aman Ranjan beat Shubham 14-21, 21-18, 21-11.

Boys under-19 singles (quarterfinals): Shubham beat Anubhav 21-11, 21-13; A Sundram beat Kunal 21-12, 20-22, 21-7; Akash beat Priyanshu 21-10, 21-17 and Shshank beat Kundan 7-21, 21-15, 21-16.

Girls under-16 singles (quarterfinals): Gloria Anthony beat Ayushi Gupta21-3, 21-5; Riya Agarwal beat Sneha 21-17, 21-15; Nidhi beat Shipra 21-16, 21-7 and Anamika beat Shubhangi 21-6, 21-1.

All India Railway football tournament begins in Patna; ECR lose to NCR

Patna, February 4, 2011: The 67th All India Railway football championships began at the Moinul Haq Stadium here on Friday. On the opening day two matches were played. In the first match of the day North Central Railway (NCR), Allahabad, crushed East Central Railway (ECR), Hajipur 5-1.

In the second match, South East Central Railway (SECR), Bilaspur, swamped Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW), Varanasi, 5-0.

Six zonal teams have been participating in the weeklong event. The matches are being played on round-robin league basis. Top two teams will qualify for the final phase of the tournament to be played in Bilaspur.

Teams are EC Railway (Hajipur), South East Central Railway (Bilaspur), North Central Railway (Allahabad), RDSO (Lucknow), Integral Coach Factory (Chennai) and Diesel Locomotive Works (Varanasi).

Sunil Mishra scored the first goal for NCR Allahabad in the 22nd minute (1-0). NCR struck two more goals in the first half through Md Asif (25th minute) and Rakesh Yadav (28th minute). Apurva Nandy brought some cheers in ECR camp scoring a goal in the 38th minute (3-1).

After the breather, Sunil Mishra pumped in two more goals to take the final tally to 5-1.

In the second match SECR took a 2-0 lead in the first half.

Suber Manjhi (8th minute) GC Hansda (25th minute), A Anthony (63rd minute), RC Murmur (65th minute) and Suber Manjhi (85th minute) were the goalgetters for SECR.

Earlier, General Manager of East Central Railway, KK Shrivastav inaugurated the championships. AK Chandra, general secretary, ECR Sports Association, welcomed the guests and participants.

Photo captions: From top: ECR and NCR fight for the ball; EC Railway GM KK Shrivastav releasing the balloons to inaugurate the Railway football championships; ECR GM KK Shrivastav being introduced to the players at the Moinul Haq Stadium in Patna on February 4, 2011.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

DAV School Board Colony earn a grand double in Patna district badminton

Patna, February 3, 2011: DAV Public School, BSEB Colony earned a grand double winning the senior and junior boys’ team titles of the Patna district inter-school badminton championships at the Secretariat badminton hall here on Thursday.

DAV School senior boys thrashed Patna High School 2-0 in the final. Subham (DAV) outsmarted Anubhav 21-11, 21-6 while the pair of Shubham and Kundan of DAV School bounced back to beat Anubhav and Akash of Patna High School 18-21, 21-17, 21-14 in the final.

In the junior boys’ final, DAV outplayed Delhi Public School Patna 2-0. Kunal of DAV defeated Shantanu 21-6, 21-5 while the combination of Kunal and Akashdeep of DAV swamped Yash and Prabhakar of Delhi Public School 21-9, 21-11.

Sports Ministry complies National Sports Development Code of India-2011

New Delhi, February 1, 2011: Union Minister of State (Independent Charges) for Youth Affairs and Sports Ajay Maken on Tuesday released the National Sports Development Code, 2011 compiled by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.

While releasing the Code at a Press conference here, he said this compilation contains all guidelines issued by the Government of India from time to time to promote good governance in the management of sports development, including sporting excellence, in the country. Toward this end, the Government had issued comprehensive guidelines in the past in 1975, 1988, 1997 and 2001 in pursuance of successive National Sports Policies, he added. Shri Maken said that this Code will be published in Gazette of India so that all National Sports Federations can follow it.

Post 2001 guidelines several major initiatives have been taken by the Government, which include declaration of National Sports Federations (NSFs) availing of government grant as a public authorities under the Right to Information Act, 2005; implementation of age and tenure limit in respect of office bearers of NSFs; notification and implementation of NADA Anti-Doping Rules; introduction of guidelines for prevention of age fraud in sports, and guidelines for holding fair and transparent elections to NSFs.

The guidelines are aimed at promoting good governance among NSFs as a means to strengthening their autonomy for discharging their functions and duties in accordance with the Olympic Charter and the basic principles and rules that govern the Olympic movement, and in the interest of sports development at large and the athletes’ welfare in particular.

It is noted with satisfaction that a large number of federations have already adopted or communicated their intent to adopt the good governance principles communicated by the Government from time to time. These include federations responsible for major sports disciplines such as athletics, badminton, boxing, golf, hockey, gymnastics, rowing, shooting, tennis, volleyball, weightlifting and yachting.

Since the primary intent of the National Sports Development Code is developmental in nature, the scales of the assistance for preparation of national teams up to 2012 London Olympic have been kept at the same level that was adopted for 2010 CWG. Further, with a view to expediting the approval of proposals from and release of funds to NSFs, certain functions have been delegated to SAI. Further, the need for specialization in the coaching department, including need for scientific support, has been duly recognized by allowing need-based deployment of such personnel. The anomaly that was earlier prevalent wherein the monthly remuneration to national coaches of non-CWG disciplines was Rs.15,000/- as compared to Rs.50,000 for CWG disciplines has been removed by raising the monthly remuneration of national coaches across all disciplines to Rs.50,000. Further, deployment of Assistant Coaches on a need-based manner has also been allowed.

With a view to also supporting sports development activities undertaken by sports bodies other than NSFs, a provision has been made to enable government support tournaments and other activities promoted by such organizations.

Recognizing the importance of school and university sport, it has been decided to have special long terms plans for the federations dealing with school sports and university sports.

In order to have a long term focus on promotion of sports excellence, it has been decided to henceforth put in place a long-term plan for two Olympic cycle at a time, which would be subject to annual review. This would enable us to concentrate on both active national teams and the feeder level.

With a view to eradicating cheating in sports, detailed guidelines have been prescribed for preventing doping in sports and preventing age fraud in sports.

Provision has been made for supporting exchange programmes in order to strengthen international cooperation between India and other countries in the field of sports. Efforts will be made to enter into MoUs and agreements with a number of countries on mutual beneficial agenda.

The compilation of all existing instructions in the form of a single National Sports Development Code will enable better compliance with the basic universal principles of good governance in sports, which would, in turn promote a strong sporting culture and sports excellence in the country.

Source: Union Sports Ministry Press release

Union Government to frame National Sports Development Legislation soon: Maken

New Delhi, February 1, 2011: Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Ajay Maken on Tuesday announced that the Government had decided to frame a National Sports Development Legislation soon in the larger interest of Indian sports.

Explaining the roadmap of comprehensive sports legislation in a Press conference, he said that the Ministry would put on its website the draft Bill on February 20 and would invite suggestions from the stakeholders and public for one month before taking it forward.

He said that the proposed comprehensive legislation would be widely based and would incorporate essences of basic universal principles of good governance (BUPOGG), the IOC Charter, good international legislative practices, anti doping Laws, measures against sexual harassment, and age fraud detection.

Elaborating on each of the six parameters, Maken said,

1. Some of the core principles enunciated in the BUPOGG as adopted by the XIII Olympic Congress of the Olympic and Sports Movements include,

· Elections to sports bodies should be governed by clear, transparent and fair rules (including a clean electoral roll, an independent returning Officer and secret ballot)

· Adequate procedural regulations must exist to ensure there is no conflict of interests

· The term of office should be of limited duration, in order to allow renewal of office bearers on a regular basis

· Co-operation, coordination and consultation with governments to preserve autonomy

· The resolution passed by the XIII Congress also underlines the essentiality of athletes’ involvement in decision making with full voting rights.

2. The IOC charter in its Chapter 16, Rule 3.3, Chapter 19, rule 2.1, 2.2 and Rule2.3, Chapter 20, Rule 1 and Chapter 28, Rule 5 clearly lays down as such;

· Any IOC member ceases to be a member at the end of the calendar year during which he reaches the age of 70 (CH.16, 3.3)

· All members of the IOC Executive Board are elected by the sessions in a secret ballot bya majority of votes cast.((19.2.1)

· A member may serve for a maximum of two successive terms on IOC Executive Board regardless to the capacity to which he has been elected. (CH.19, 2.2)

· In case a member has completed two successive terms, he may be elected again after a minimum period of two years.(19.2.3)

· The President is elected by secret ballot from among members for a term of eight years, renewable once for four years. (20.1)

· In order to fulfill their mission the National Olympic Committees may cooperate with governmental bodies with which they shall achieve harmonious relations. However, they shall not associate themselves with any activity which would be in contradiction with the Olympic charter. (28.1)

3. Existing Legislations in other countries can serve as good examples for drawing out prevalent best practices. A case in point in this regard would be the Ted Stevens Olympic Amateur Act of 1978 enacted by the USA, it provides for;

· Reservation of 20% membership and voting rights for amateur athletes who are actively involved in the sport and have represented the USA in the past 10 years

· Requirement of issuing public notifications inviting objections prior to making any alterations in its constitutions and by laws.

4. Anti Doping law shall be in compliance with WADA. The fact that nearly 139 countries are signatories to the International UNESCO Convention against Doping in Sport is in self a reflection of the fact that Sport/ Sports Administrators can no longer claim isolation from scrutiny.

As a signatory to the UNESCO convention, India has shown highest commitment to movement against doping. It is a member of the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) and has constituted its own National anti Doping Agency (NADA) on the lines of WADA.

5. Measures against sexual harassment would aim at ensuring that the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court judgment in the Vishakha Vs State of Rajasthan are implemented and taken into prospective while contemplating protection of women in sports from sexual harassment.

6. Fool proof guidelines for Age fraud detection need to be formulated and put forth as binding legislation.

Source: A Union Sports Ministry Press Release

Patna district badminton begins

Patna, February 2, 2011: Patna district inter-school badminton championships got off to a colourful start at the Secretariat badminton hall here on Wednesday. Senior boys of Patna High School and DAV Public School, BSEB Colony stormed into the final of team championship posting fluent wins.

Delhi Public School, Patna will take on DAV Public School, BSEB Colony in the junior boys’ team event final while Notre Dame Academy ‘B’ advanced into the final of senior girls’ team championships.

Earlier, Bihar Government’s Development Commissioner KC Saha inaugurated the tournament. Human Resources Department secretary Anjani Kumar Singh was the special guest. Art, Culture and Youth Affairs Department secretary KP Ramaiah presided over the opening ceremony.

Results: Senior boys’ team championship (semifinals): DAV Public School, BSEB Colony beat Don Bosco Academy 2-0; Patna High School beat Delhi Public School, Patna 2-0.

Junior boys’ team championship: (semifinals): Delhi Public School, Patna beat Kendriya Viyalaya 2-0; DAV Public School, BSEB Colony beat Kilkari 2-0.

Photo caption: Bihar Government's Development Commissioner KC Saha being introduced to players at the opening function of Patna district badminton championships in Patna on February 2, 2011.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Aman to lead Bihar table tennis team in Junior National championships

Patna, February 1, 2011: Aman Kumar will lead a nine-member Bihar team in the 72nd Junior and Youth National and inter-state table tennis championships that began in Ahmedabad on Friday.

Announcing the team Bihar Table Tennis Association secretary Mukesh Roy said Somnath Roy and Sanjeev Shankar would be the manager and coach of the team.

Team: (junior boys): Naman Kumar (captain), Rahul Kumar, Ankit Kumar and Piyush D Gandhi.

Junior girls: Priya Kumari, Chandra Raut, Riyanshi Gupta and Suparna Joshi.

Youth boys: Naman Kumar, Ankit Kumar, Piyush D Gandhi and Rahul Sao.

Youth girls: Chandra Raut, Suparna Joshi, Priya Kumari and Riyanshi Gupta.

CAP crowned Little Champs

Patna, February 1, 2011: Cricket Academy of Patna clinched the Little Champs Premier League U-10 cricket title defeating Rajiv Gandhi Cricket Foundation (RGCF) by a narrow margin of 7 runs at the Cricket Academy of Bihar (CAB) ground here on Sunday.

CAP scored a modest 91 runs for the loss of 8 wickets off 15 overs and then restricted their rivals for 84 runs for 6 wickets off 15 overs.

Prajeet (25) and Basu (20) contributed well with the bat for CAP while Vivek claimed three wickets of 8 runs for RGCF.

RGCF began well but their batsmen floundered down the order. Ayush (29) and Vivek (15) were the notable scorers for RGCF. Shubham took two wickets for 11 runs.

International cricketer and Jharkhand’s latest batting sensation Saurabh Tiwary was the chief guest at the closing function and he gave away the prizes. Bihar Energy Minister Vijendra Prasad Yadav, Leader of the Opposition in Bihar Assembly Abdul Bari Siddiqui, Bihar Road Construction Department secretary Pratyay Amrit and BCA ad-hoc committee member Mritunjay Tiwari were the special guests.

The organisers also felicitated Saurabh Tiwary on the occasion.

Photo caption: CAP boys pose for a group photograph with international cricketer Saurabh Tiwary at the prize-distribution function of Little Champs Premier League in Patna on January 30, 2011.

2. Saurabh Tiwary being felicitated by Anis Bari of the Tantra Consultancy.

3. Saurabh Tiwary at CAB ground.

Photos: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Railways win first Hockey India senior women national championships

Patna, January 30, 2011: Railways annexed the inaugural Hockey India Senior Women National Championships as they trounced hosts Haryana 7-1 at Motilal Nehru Sports School at Rai, Sonepat on Sunday.

According to a Hockey India Press release, the star-studded virtual Indian team led 5-1 at the breather finding no answer from the Haryana squad which was handicapped with the absence of international Mamta Kharab due to injury, thus leaving the attack responsibility to India skipper Surinder Kaur.

But the Railways meant business as captain Saba Anjum deflected a penalty corner home in the 2nd minute.The Railways second goal came ten minutes later with striker Rani slotting past goalkeeper Savita after being set up by Chanchan Devi.

The Railways appeared to go on a rampage as they found the target again in quick succession with two goals in as many minutes.Midfielder Asunta Lakra first struck a blinder in the 14th minute and Deepika Thakur made no mistake as she ripped past Haryana defenders Jaspreet Kaur and Jaswinder in the 15th minute.

The Railways domination continued as they found their fifth goal in the 27th minute with Jasjeet Kaur Handa making no mistake.

Haryana were able to get a consolation goal two minutes before half time with a softly hit penalty corner by full back Sandeep Kaur which rolled past Railways goalkeeper Deepika Murty.

The hosts however put up a semblance of a fight in the second half as they fell back defending inside their striking circle thus denying their rival forwards Rani, Jasjeet, Saba and Chanchan space.

However Railways again found themselver on the score sheet in the 53rd minute with Rani striking from a pass by Kirandeep Kaur, while defender Joydeep Kaur rounded off the tally from a 66th minute penalty corner conversion to script a fluent victory.

Earlier a hat trick by Elin Lakra enabled Orissa to beat Punjab 5-3 to win the bronze medal.

Orissa opened their account in the 3rd minute when Lilima Minz reverse tapped past Punjabcustodian Gursharan Kaur.

Punjab found the equaliser in the 23rd minute with a penalty corner conversion by Vartika Singh.

However they conceded the lead to their rivals again in the 31st minute with Elin Lakra making no mistake from a penalty corner.

Orissa increase their tally after the break with Elin again on target with a corner conversion in the 43rd minute.

Punjab pulled one back three minutes later with Anuradha Thokchom converting a penalty stroke awarded after Lalremruati was brought down in the striking circle.

Orissa however were undetered and went on to score their fourth goal in the 48th minute when Elin struck again from open play and further consolidated their lead when she found the target again from a set piece.

Thokchom was able to score the third goal for Punjab in the dying minutes but that was not good enough for a win.