Sanchita Chatterjee, BS News Agency, Kolkata: The 47th All India Major Port Hockey Championship 2026 concluded amidst intense excitement and high drama. In a breathtaking final, VOC Tuticorin clinched a spectacular victory by defeating the host team, SMPK (Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata), with a score of 4-3.
In the final match, both teams displayed exceptional skill and a fighting spirit, keeping the spectators on the edge of their seats until the very last moment. Despite SMPK's strong performance on home turf, Tuticorin ultimately prevailed, securing the coveted championship title.
In the match for third place, MBPA Mumbai defeated CHPT Chennai 5-3 to secure the bronze medal.
Several individual awards were also presented to recognize outstanding performances throughout the tournament. S. Krishna of Tuticorin earned the honor of being the tournament's top scorer. SMPK's Ranit Ekka was named the 'Best Player of the Tournament' for his consistent and impactful performance. Meanwhile, S. Manav of Tuticorin received the 'Best Goalkeeper' award for his exceptional skills between the posts.
Renowned hockey legend Gurbux Singh graced the closing ceremony as the Chief Guest. He was joined by SMPK Chairman Rathendra Raman and Deputy Chairman Samrat Rahi.
Addressing the gathering at the ceremony, Chairman Rathendra Raman emphasized the importance of employment opportunities in promoting sports. He announced that, under the sports quota, priority would be given to hockey, swimming, basketball, track and field, and volleyball, and that job opportunities would be provided to athletes based on their qualifications.
SMPK Sports Officer Suhas Bhattacharya noted that hosting the All India Hockey Championship for two consecutive years has significantly enhanced the exposure and competitive experience of the participating athletes. This championship once again proved that the standard of hockey among India's various major ports is steadily improving. At the same time, it created numerous memorable moments for the spectators and heightened expectations for the upcoming edition.