Sambalpur University, Odisha clinched the bronze medal in the mens hockey competition of the 3rd Khelo India University Games, defeating Veer Bahadur Singh (VBS) Purvanchal University, Jaunpur, UP 2-1 in the third/fourth place match at the Guru Gobind Singh Sports College astro turf ground in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh today.

Earlier in the semifinals, Sambalpur University went down fighting to Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 2-4 in shoot out after play in the regulation time ended in 5-5 draw. Sambalpur University qualified for the semifinals by winning two matches and drawing one in Pool-B league.

Sambalpur beat Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith, UP 1-0 and Bengaluru City University, Karnataka 4-3, and held VBS Purvanchal University, Jaunpur to 1-1 draw. Kerobin Lakra was the captain of the 18-member Sambalpur team.

SAMBALPUR UNIVERSTY MEN HOCKEY TEAM: Suraj Kumar Singh (GK), Sanjay Ekka, Sushant Toppo, Kerobin Lakra (Captain), Amit Kumar Toppo, Prajukt Nag, Abhishek, Shakti Kujur, Roshanjeet Minz, Tarun Yadav, Rajkumar Minz, Ritesh Minz, Nitish Kumar Badaik (GK), Sibren Lakra, Nitesh, Patras Tirkey, Mangal Lohar, Bikash Lakra. Coach: Ajay Kumar Rout, Managers: Capt Sathya Narayan Rout, Rinkun Satpathy.

RESULTS:

May 26 (Pool-B match): Sambalpur University (Sibren Lakra 8-FG) beat Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith, UP 1-0.
May 27 (Pool-B match): Sambalpur University (Patras Tirkey 36-PC) drew with VBS Purvanchal University, Jaunpur (Nitish Neupane 38-FG) 1–1.
May 29 (Pool-B match): Sambalpur University (Roshanjeet Minz 4-PC, Bikash Lakra 34-FG, Amit Kumar Toppo 42-FG, Kerobin Lakra 58-PC) beat Bengaluru City University, Karnataka (Pranam Gowda Ym 17-PC, 19-PC, Deekshith Ah 53-FG) 4-3.
May 30 (Semifinal): Sambalpur University (Kerobin Lakra 8-PC, 41-PC, 48-PC, Patras Tirkey 32-PC, 59-PC) drew Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar (Rahul 10-PC, 21-FG, Rajinder Singh 33-PC, Simranjot Singh 43-PC, Sudarshan Singh 53-FG) 5-5. Shoot out: Sambalpur (Nitesh, Bikash Lakra) lost to GNDU (Sanjay Kumar, Arshdeep Singh Jr, Arshdeep Singh, Rahul) 2-4.
June 1 (3rd/4th Place): Sambalpur University (Nitesh 45-FG, 48-FG) beat VBS Purvanchal University (Aamid Khanpathan 20-FG) 2-1.
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PHOTO: Players and coach of Sambalpur University mens hockey team pose with the bronze medal at the Khelo India University Games in Lucknow on 1 June 2023.