M.J. Cup Memorial Hockey 2025: Pune Teams Battle to Draws in B-Division Matches
Pune, 11th October, 2025: Drawn matches were the order of the day as all B-Division matches ended in draws in the 4th M.J Cup Memorial Hockey Tournament Men and Women 2025 at the Major Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium, Nehrunagar-Pimpri.
The tournament is being conducted under the aegis of Hockey Maharashtra and Hockey Pune.
On Saturday, Krida Prabodhini Balewadi were held by Hockey Lovers Academy 1-1 in Group-B, while Hockey Lovers Sports Club and Poona Hockey Academy played out a 3-3 draw also in a Group-B Kids XI and Col. Bhagat drew 0-0.
In a mid-afternoon encounter, Hockey Lovers Academy netted from a penalty-corner via Pulkhrambam (57’) to draw with Krida Prabodhini Balewadi 1-1 in the B-Division (Junior Section) encounter. A field goal by Shivram Dhode (40’) helped Krida Prabodhini take the lead against Hockey Lovers. Later, Pulkhrambam (57’) penalty-corner conversion helped Hockey Lovers Academy draw 1-1.
The day began with in Group-A with Hockey Lovers Sports Club holding Poona Hockey Academy 3-3 in a B-Division (Junior Section) encounter. The main-stay of the draw was Poona Hockey’s Ayyan Sayyed (2 goals) who led the day.
During the match, Hockey Lovers Pranay Garsund (20’) sounded the board off a penalty-corner. Eight minutes later, Ajinkya Kalbhor (28’) helped Poona Hockey draw (1-1) converting a penalty-corner to end half-time. Changing ends, Poona Hockey had a brace by Ayyan Sayyed (32’, 46’) score quick to help his team lead 3-1 lead, but Hockey Lovers’ Ifaz Shaikh (48’) and Yash Angeer (56’) had other ideas and levelled 3-3.
A total of 19 teams spread over three sections – Senior Men (8 teams, 2 groups), the newly introduced Junior Men (6 teams; 2 groups) and Women (4 teams) will be playing in a league cum knock-out basis over nine days of the tournament
Earlier, the function was inaugurated by Anand Salvi, RPI Railway Police
RESULTS (Juniors, Day-1)
Group-A: Poona Hockey Academy: 3 (Ajinkya Kalbhor 28’; Ayyan Sayyed 32’, 46’) drew with Hockey Lovers Sports Club: 3 (Pranay Garsund 20’; Ifaz Shaikh 48’; Yash Angeer 56’). HT: 1-1
Group-B: Krida Prabodhini Balewadi: 1 (Shivram Dhonde 40’) drew with Hockey Lovers Academy: 1 (Pulkhrambam57’). HT: 0-0
Group-A: Kids XI: 0 drew with Col. Bhagat: 0: HT: 0-0
