Sports Hostel Cuttack triumphs in thrilling finale of O.P. Jindal Memorial Football Tournament 2025

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

ANGUL, AUGUST 18, 2025

The curtain came down on the O.P. Jindal Memorial Football Tournament 2025 on Monday with an electrifying finale at Kadam Padia, Angul, as Sports Hostel Cuttack clinched the prestigious O.P. Jindal Cup after a nail-biting penalty shootout against Bargarh United. The contest, which kept thousands of spectators on the edge of their seats, ended in a dramatic 6–5 shootout victory following a fiercely fought regulation time.

The 12-day tournament, featuring 12 state-level teams from across Odisha, witnessed intense competition, dazzling skills, and sportsmanship, making it one of the most eagerly awaited sporting events in the region. The grand finale lived up to its billing, delivering a spectacle of passion and grit on the field.

The closing ceremony was graced by Sampad Chandra Swain, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Industries, Skill Development & Technical Education, Government of Odisha, who attended as Chief Guest. Also present were Pratap Chandra Pradhan, MLA Angul; Agasti Behera, MLA Chhendipada; Akhay Kumar Samant, Chairman, Angul Municipality; senior officials of Jindal Steel including Damodar Mittal, Executive Director (Projects); Dilip Kumar Sinha, CHRO; Prasanna Kumar Panda, EVP, along with several other esteemed guests.

In his address, Minister Swain lauded Jindal Steel and Jindal Foundation for fostering sports culture and empowering the youth of Odisha. He reiterated the state government’s commitment to creating robust sports infrastructure in every block, announcing that substantial funds have been allocated for the construction of modern stadiums to nurture local talent.

Echoing similar sentiments, Pratap Pradhan and Agasti Behera expressed gratitude to Naveen Jindal, Chairman of Jindal Steel, and Shallu Jindal, Chairperson of Jindal Foundation, for their continued dedication towards community development and their significant contributions to the promotion of sports.

Individual brilliance was also celebrated at the ceremony. Raju Behera of Bargarh United was named Best Player of the Tournament, while his teammate Sidharth Pradhan won the Best Goalkeeper title. The Man of the Final Match award was conferred upon Avinash Kishan of Sports Hostel Cuttack for his match-winning display.

The championship clash was officiated by Referee Siba Sundar Panda, supported by Dillip Kumar Rout and Alok Dehry, with Pupun Behera serving as the fourth official.

Extending his gratitude, Damodar Mittal applauded the efforts of players, officials, and the enthusiastic audience for making the tournament a resounding success. He highlighted that JSP Chairman Naveen Jindal, a visionary industrialist and a passionate sportsman, has always prioritized youth development and the nurturing of sporting talent.

The tournament was meticulously organized by Jayanta Kumar Mohanty, GM-CSR, and his team, with active support from the District Sports Authority, Angul.