Maratha XI secured a dominant victory to claim the prestigious title at the All India Bhanja Trophy Football Tournament. They faced off against the Sundargarh Dosti Brothers in a high-stakes final held at Kavisamrat Stadium in Bhanjanagar. The match concluded with a decisive 3-1 scoreline in favor of the Maratha squad.
Fans witnessed an exciting display of skill during the final showdown. Maratha XI took control early in the game and established a 1-0 lead by the end of the first half. They maintained their momentum after the break and netted two additional goals to seal their triumph. Sundargarh managed to score a consolation goal through a penalty kick after a defensive foul.
Local MLA Pradyumna Kumar Nayak attended the event as the chief guest. He presented the championship trophy and a cash prize of ₹55,555 to the winning team. The runners-up from Sundargarh received a trophy and a cash award of ₹33,333. Several other dignitaries and officials joined the players on the field for introductions before the match began.
Important announcements regarding local infrastructure were made during the closing ceremony. MLA Nayak revealed plans to begin development work on the Kavisamrat Stadium soon. He highlighted the importance of upgrading the city's central sports facility.
Individual brilliance was also recognized during the prize distribution. Akash Ekka from the Sundargarh team earned the Player of the Tournament award for his consistent performance. Sipu Behera from Maratha XI was named the Player of the Match for his impact on the final game. The event concluded with a formal vote of thanks from the organizing committee.
