THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, NOVEMBER 9, 2026
Goalkeeper Pabitra Hodam produced a stunning performance in the penalty
shootout, making four successive saves as Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High
Performance Centre (ONTHHPC) defeated Hockey Association of Odisha 2-0 to
clinch the ASMITA East Zone Junior Women Hockey League 2026-27 title here on
Monday.
In a thrilling final, the two Odisha outfits were locked at 3-3 at the
end of regulation time before ONTHHPC held their nerve in the shootout to
emerge victorious and lift the championship trophy.
Hodam proved to be the difference between the two sides, frustrating the
opposition with four consecutive saves in the shootout to script a memorable
triumph for her team. Her outstanding contribution was recognised as she was
named Player of the Match in the final.
ONTHHPC's title-winning campaign had begun on a dominant note, with the
team registering a comprehensive 6-0 victory over Bihar (BSSA) before thrashing
Assam 16-0 in their second group-stage encounter.
However, the team suffered a setback in their final league match, going
down 1-3 to Hockey Association of Odisha. The two sides met again in the summit
clash, where ONTHHPC produced a spirited response to overturn their earlier
defeat and secure the coveted title.
The four-team competition featured Assam, Bihar (BSSA), Hockey
Association of Odisha and ONTHHPC, providing a platform for emerging women's
hockey talent from the eastern region.
Terming the triumph a reflection of the team's hard work and
determination, ONTHHPC Project Director Gurmeet Singh Rao said the players had
demonstrated tremendous character by bouncing back from their group-stage
defeat.
"The way the girls bounced back after their group-stage defeat and
delivered such a spirited performance in the final reflects their resilience
and competitive character. Pabitra Hodam's exceptional performance in the
shootout deserves special appreciation, while the entire team and coaching
staff deserve credit for this achievement," Rao said.
He added that the high-performance centre remained committed to providing young athletes with the right environment, guidance and opportunities to develop into future champions of Indian hockey
The championship victory underlines ONTHHPC's growing strength in junior women's hockey and its continued efforts to nurture promising talent. The team's ability to combine attacking dominance with resilience under pressure was evident throughout the tournament, particularly in a nerve-wracking final that ultimately saw Hodam emerge as the star of the occasion.
