Bhubaneswar: The South Eastern Railway (SER) emerged champion of the 2nd Michael Kindo Memorial Championship Trophy 2026 – All India Women’s Hockey Championship, defeating SAI Kolkata by 3-1 goals at Kalinga Stadium here on Wednesday.
The Kolkata team got an early lead in the 10th minute of the play through a goal by Susmita Panna, however, SER bounced back in the 11th minutes and Albela Rani Toppo scored the equaliser for the champions. Sanjna Horo and skipper Priya Dungdung joined the party by nailing a goal each in the 19th and 46th minutes respectively and guided SER to beat SAI Kolkata by 3-1 goals.
In the 3rd and 4th place match, racing from the back, CISF finished third by winning over Sports Hostel Sundargarh by 4-1 goals.
The championship, being organised by the Bhubaneswar Hockey Club Trust in association with the Hockey Association of Odisha, continues to promote women’s hockey and honour the legacy of legendary Olympian Michael Kindo.
In the individual award categories, Best Goalkeeper – Sonali Minz (SER), Best Defender – Kirti (CISF), Best Midfielder – Shapna Bhengra (SAI Kolkata), Best Forward – Sanjan Kiro (Sundargarh Team) and Player of the Tournament – Albelarani Toppo(South Eastern Railway).
The final match was graced by several eminent dignitaries and distinguished guests including Dilip Tirkey, President, Hockey India; Bhupendra Singh Poonia, Commissioner-cum-Secretary; Bijaya Kumar Swain, Additional Secretary to Government & CEO, HPCO; Rakesh Choudhary, Commandant, CISF; Olympians Deep Grace Ekka, William Xalxo and Lazrus Barla; International Hockey Players Dipsan Tirkey and Jhilli Dalabehera; and Nishan Jyoti Mohanty, International Hockey Technical Official.
Also present on the occasion were Capt. Ratikanta Nayak, Chairman, Bhubaneswar Hockey Club Trust; Biswabijaya Sahoo, President, Bhubaneswar Hockey Club Trust; Ranjan Kumar Das, Secretary, Bhubaneswar Hockey Club Trust; and Sanatan Sahoo, General Secretary, Hockey Association of Odisha.
