Poonch, Nov 11: Celebrating the storied hockey tradition of the frontier district, the annual Poonch District Hockey League tournament commenced amid spirited enthusiasm at the Sports Stadium in Poonch on Sunday, opening with a pulsating 1-1 draw between Power House Hockey Club and Stadium XI.
Organized by the Poonch District Hockey Association under the aegis of Hockey J&K and the J&K Sports Council, the district-level tournament aims to scout emerging youth talent and revitalize competitive field hockey across border subdivisions. The championship was formally declared open by District Youth Services and Sports Officer (DYSSO) Poonch alongside veteran sports administrators and community elders.
The inaugural fixture showcased high tactical intensity and fluid stick-work. Power House HC seized early momentum in the second quarter when forward Jagmeet Singh capitalized on a swift counter-attacking maneuver to slot home a crisp field goal, beating the Stadium XI custodian. Undeterred, Stadium XI mounted a concerted offensive in the second half, earning a crucial penalty corner in the third quarter which defender Gurpreet Singh powerfully converted into the left corner to level the scoreline 1-1.
Despite relentless attacking raids and dramatic penalty circle exchanges in the final minutes, resolute defensive work by both teams ensured the points were shared at the final hooter. Tournament coordinators confirmed that ten prominent club teams from across Poonch district are participating in the league format, with top performers slated for selection in the provisional Jammu and Kashmir state championship trials.
Published by True Roots Media