RTM Nagpur University hockey team qualifies for all India meet

By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Oct 10
AFTER missing the bus for four continuous years, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University’s men’s hockey team made it a point not to let it slip this time as they qualified for the prestigious All India Inter-University hockey tournament. The all India meet will be held at Hyderabad in November.
In the Central Zone inter-university tournament, under way at Sambalpur in Odisha, Nagpur University boys dazzled on the green turf thrashing one team after another to book the all India berth with aplomb. The performance of Nagpur team is more praiseworthy

RTMNU hockey team qualifies...
as the selection process was questioned by a few people.
The team, led by Ganesh Kawle, showed great co-ordination that helped them in clinching the coveted spot for all India meet.
Last time, it was under the leadership of Gaurav Shukla Nagpur University team had qualified for the all India meet at Gwalior in 2008. That was after 27 long years, when the Nagpur team made the all India meet for the first time. Under the leadership of Valentine George Nagpur University had qualified for the All India inter-varsity meet in 1981-82.
At Sambalpur, Nagpur University team remained unbeatable throughout the knock-out round.
In their first match, RTMNU thrashed Vikram University, Ujjain 10-0. Sakib Rahim (2), Shahbaz Pathan (2) Savio Francis, Rakesh Sukhdeve, Tushar Venchilwar, and Asif Rahim (one each) were the scorers.
The second match, too, was no different as Nagpur drubbed the formidable Jiwaji University, Gwalior 6-1.
They faced a stiff resistance from Utkal University, Bhubaneshwar but ended victors via sudden death with a 3-1 verdict.
Nagpur University rounded off the knock-out round with a huge 8-0 win over Bilaspur University with Shahbaz Pathan slamming the board thrice. The other scorers were Sukhdeve, Wasim, Sakib and Sharvilak Bhimte.
Shahbaz Pathan was the top scorer with nine goals. Defender Fahi Syed was rock solid in defence while goal-keeper Mohsin Pathan made some fine saves.
Sakib Rahim and Rakesh Sukhdeve did well in the midfield which helped the forwards in banging the target. Harish Mohite is the coach of Nagpur University team.
Nagpur team is currently playing position matches at the same venue where they have lost their first match to Bhopal but bounced back in their second encounter defeating Raipur University 3-1.
They will play their last league match against Sambalpur University on Friday.
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The team: Mohsin Pathan (GK, RS Bidkar College, Hinganghat), Fahim F Sayyed (Jyotiba College of Phy Edu), Sagar Kale (RS Bidkar College, Hinganghat), Wasim Khan (Jyotiba College of Phy Edu), Ganesh Kalwe (GTM College, Lakhandur), Rakesh Sukhdeve (Ashok Moharkar Mv, Adyal), Asif Rahim (Jyotiba College of Phy Edu), Sharvilak Bhimte (SKP College, Kamptee) Shakib Rahim (Jyotiba College of Phy Edu), Harshan Linganwar (SKP College, Kamptee), Savio Francis (Hislop College) Prassanna Motghare (SKP College, Kamptee), Rakesh Kumar (Ishwar Deshmukh Phy Edu), Tushar Venchilwar (SKP College, Kamptee), Anup Barva (Ishwar Deshmukh Phy Edu), Mohd Sahbaz Pathan (Jyotiba College Phy Edu), Nikhil Gotaphode (GK, Ashok Moharkar Mv, Adyal), Saurabh Kolhe (JM Patel College, Bhandara).