Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka win Hockey India Sub Junior South Zone Championship 2023

While Andhra triumphed in women's category, Karnataka won the men's section.

The 1st Hockey India Sub Junior South Zone Championship 2023 concluded on October 24 (Tuesday) in Chennai with Andhra Pradesh being crowned champions in the Sub Junior Women's Category after their 5-0 triumph over Tamil Nadu.

Accompanied on the podium was Karnataka, which finished third. In the Sub Junior Men's Category. Karnataka defeated Tamil Nadu by 3-2 to claim the bragging rights, with Andhra Pradesh finishing third in the Sub Junior Men's Category.

The Sub Junior Women's Category final ended with Andhra Pradesh defeating the Tamil Nadu by 5-0. Captain Thirumalasetty Sree Vidya (7', 20', 23') stepped up in the final, scoring a hat-trick for Andhra Pradesh. Patan Mujiya Begum (35') and Kuppa Tulasi (45') followed up with goals of their own to seal the victory.

In the 3rd/4th place match of the Sub Junior Women's Category, Karnataka beat Kerala by 3-2. Karnataka took the lead early after goals from Kotyan Pratheeksha P (3'), Captain Lakshmi (14'), and Sinchanaraj (36'). Kerala initiated a comeback through Captain Abhay Jyothi A S (43') and Lakshmi D (50') but fell short in the end.

The Sub Junior Men's Category final saw Karnataka beat the Tamil Nadu by 3-2 in a tightly contested battle. Jashan Thammaiah M.C (9') and Kakhandaki Rohit (29') scored for Karnataka in the first half. Tamil Nadu answered back through goals from Kamlesh (31') and Captain Sugumar M (35'). Nishanth M (57') broke the deadlock from a penalty corner in the dying moments of the game to confirm the gold medal finish for Karnataka.

In the 3rd/4th place match of the Sub Junior Men's Category, Andhra Pradesh beat Le Puducherry by 4-2. The goalscorers for Andhra Pradesh were Bharath Panduri (13'), Gandi Chandu (39'), Devara Deva Sai Yadav (45'), and Devatha Yaswanth (53'). Meanwhile, R. Gobinath (12') and Amudhavalavan A (23') got on the scoresheet for Le Puducherry.