PUNE: Krida Prabodhini put on a stellar performance to dethrone defending champions Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy 2-1 and lift the the 3rdSNBP All-India Hockey Tournament (Boys Under-16) at the Shiv Chhatrapathi Sports Complex, Balewadi, on Sunday.
Krida Prabodhini thus became the first team from the city to win the championship after outstation teams dominated the finals in previous years.
In a closely fought final, Krida Prabodhini, who finished third last year, found themselves in arrears when Priyo Barta (4th) gained success from a penalty-corner.
Down 0-1, KP, playing on their home turf, hit back when Mustafa Shaik (26th) also scored off a penalty corner to level scores 1-1.
Having shared honours at half time the match on resumption was fought on even keel.
Two minutes from the end, Krida Prabodhini did well in pushing an attack forward and ended with Aditya Lalge (69th) netting past goalkeeper Dhanaraj Singh.
Earlier in the Hardlines Cup (III-Place) play off, Jai Bharat Hockey, Bhiwani, Haryana had it easy against SNBP Academy and finish 5-1 victors.
Harish Jr. who struck in the 12 and 20th minutes led the way to gain first half honours for the Haryana team.
On resumption, Ashish helped himself to a brace (40th & 61st) while Harish Sr. (66th) netted the fifth.
For SNBP Academy, Subham Lahoriya (48th) pulled one back to temporarily give his team hope.
Later the prizes were distributed by former Indian international Sandeep Singh, the chief guest of the day in the presence of Dr Vrishali Bhosale, President - SNBP Group of Institutes & President- SNBP All India Hockey Tournament 2018, Vibhakar Telore, Organizing Secretary - SNBP All India Hockey Tournament 2018, Firoz Shaikh, Convenor - SNBP All India Hockey Tournament 2018.
RESULTS
Final: Krida Prabodhini: 2 (Mustafa Shaik 26th; Aditya Lalge 69th) bt Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy: 1 (Priyo Barta (4th). HT:1-0
III-Place: Jai Bharat Hockey, Bhiwani, Haryana: 5 Harish Jr. (12 & 20th; Ashish 40th& 61st; Harish Sr. 66th) b SNBP Academy: 1 ( Subham Lahoriya 48th). HT: 2-0.