Bengaluru, December 14: Canara Bank held their nerve in a tense shootout to defeat the Department of Youth Empowerment & Sports (DYES) ‘A’ 5–4, after the regulation time ended 2–2, to clinch the Namdhari Cup 2025 organised by Hockey Karnataka at the Hockey Stadium, Akkithimmanahalli, here on Sunday.
It was a fitting finale to a competitive tournament, with both teams matching each other stride for stride across four quarters.
See-saw battle in regulation time
DYES ‘A’ drew first blood through Harish Mutagar, who found the target in the 12th minute to give his side an early lead. But the advantage lasted barely a minute as former international Vinaya V S restored parity for Canara Bank in the 13th minute, capping an end-to-end opening phase.
DYES ‘A’ went ahead once again in the 26th minute, this time via Desh Poovaiah A A, who finished a well-worked move to make it 2–1 at the halfway mark.
Canara Bank, however, refused to go away. They kept pressing for the equaliser and were rewarded in the 55th minute when Hitesh Sharma converted to make it 2–2, taking the contest into the shootout.
Shootout drama decides the title
With nothing to separate the two sides across 60 minutes, the match headed into a penalty shootout. Canara Bank showed greater composure under pressure, converting five attempts to DYES ‘A’s four, sealing a 5–4 win and the Namdhari Cup crown.
Trophies and prize money
Champions Canara Bank received the winners’ trophy along with a cash prize of ₹50,000.
Runners-up DYES ‘A’ were presented the runners-up trophy and ₹30,000.
Felicitations add sheen to closing ceremony
The closing ceremony also celebrated recent Indian hockey achievements. Junior World Cup bronze-medallist Sunil P B and coach Janardhana C B were felicitated by Hockey Karnataka, along with Raghuprasad R V, who was named FIH Umpire of the Year 2025.
Sunil P B received a cash award of ₹1,00,000, while Janardhana C B and Raghuprasad R V were each presented ₹50,000 in recognition of their contributions to the sport.
