Poonch U-19 Girls Hockey Team Crowned UT-Level Champions Poonch Edges Jammu 5–4 in Thrilling Shootout to Clinch UT Championship

GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL

POONCH/PULWAMA, OCT 08: The Poonch Under-19 Girls Hockey Team scripted a memorable sporting achievement by emerging as the UT-level champions in the Inter-District Under-19 Girls Hockey Championship being held at Pulwama.
In a thrilling and closely contested final, Poonch and Jammu remained level at the end of regulation time, forcing the match into a decisive shootout. Showing tremendous composure and fighting spirit under pressure, the Poonch girls held their nerve to defeat Jammu 5–4 in the shootout, lifting the coveted championship trophy.
The victory capped an impressive campaign by the Poonch team, which displayed excellent teamwork, discipline, skill, determination and competitive spirit throughout the tournament. Their ability to stay focused during the crucial shootout proved decisive in securing the title.
The championship triumph is being hailed as a significant achievement for girls’ hockey in District Poonch and reflects the growing sporting talent emerging from the border district. The players’ success also highlights the importance of sustained training, quality coaching and regular exposure to competitive tournaments.
The development of hockey in Poonch has received a major boost with the availability of a modern AstroTurf hockey facility, providing young players with improved opportunities to train and compete at higher levels. With better infrastructure and increasing participation, hockey in Poonch has been steadily progressing from the district level to the divisional, UT and national platforms.
The latest achievement is particularly significant for girls’ hockey, with the U-19 team demonstrating that young female athletes from Poonch can compete successfully at the highest level within the Union Territory.
The Department of Youth Services & Sports, Poonch, congratulated the players, coaching staff and supporting personnel for their outstanding performance and appreciated their hard work, discipline and dedication.
The team achieved the feat under the supervision of DYSSO Poonch Mohd Qasim and Activity Incharge Vijay Kumar Sharma, whose guidance and support contributed to the team’s successful campaign.
The championship victory has brought immense pride to the YSS fraternity and the people of District Poonch, while providing further inspiration to young boys and girls across the district to take up sports and pursue excellence.
The people of Poonch have extended heartfelt congratulations to the talented U-19 girls hockey team for bringing glory to the district.