Match Summary: Central Railways (CR), Mumbai emerged as the champions of the All India Railways Men’s Kabaddi tournament after a thrilling final against Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai. CR defeated ICF by a narrow margin of 44-40, clinching the prestigious title at the South East Central Railway Sports Association’s Indoor Stadium in Motibagh on Monday.
In a tense and closely contested match, ICF had the upper hand in the first half, leading 25-21 at halftime. They were well on their way to securing the title with a four-point lead. However, CR staged a remarkable comeback in the second half, overcoming early setbacks and fighting hard to not only equalize but also take a four-point lead before the final whistle.
Key Moments:
- Halftime Score: ICF 25-21 CR
- Full-Time Score: CR 44-40 ICF
- The game saw a strong fightback from CR, led by Ajinkya Pawar and Pankaj Mohite, who played pivotal roles in securing the win.
Notable Awards:
- Best Raider of the Tournament: Ajinkya Pawar (CR, Mumbai) – Awarded a laptop for his exceptional performance.
- Best Catcher of the Tournament: Abhinesh Natarajan (ICF, Chennai) – Received a 50-inch LED TV.
- Best Player of the Tournament: Pankaj Mohite (CR, Mumbai) – Pankaj was awarded an electric vehicle (EV) bike for his outstanding contribution to the team.
Semi-Final Highlights:
- CR (Mumbai) 37-23 North Eastern Railways (NER) Gorakhpur: CR secured their spot in the final with a solid 14-point win in the semi-finals.
- ICF (Chennai) 35-25 Northern Railways (NR) Delhi: ICF dispatched NR to set up a thrilling final clash with CR.
Closing Ceremony:
- The closing ceremony was graced by Tarun Prakash, General Manager of South East Central Railways (SECR), and Meenakshi Sharma, President of SECR Women’s Welfare Organisation, who were the chief guest and guest of honour respectively.
This win marks another milestone for CR Mumbai in the All India Railways Men’s Kabaddi Championship and showcases the team’s resilience and fighting spirit, especially in the face of early adversity. With stellar individual performances and a collective effort, CR has emerged as the deserving champions.