The Field Shines with Nirmal Munda’s Hat-TrickSouth Eastern Central Railway Nagpur Defeats Rajasthan Police 4–1, Secures Semi-Final BerthThrill Peaks in the All India Gold Cup Football trurnament
Dhanpuri | The All India Gold Cup Football Tournament, being organized under the aegis of the Dhanpuri Municipal Council at Subhash Stadium No. 3, has now reached its decisive stage. Renowned teams from across the country are showcasing exemplary sportsmanship, discipline, and competitive spirit, delivering high-quality football and thrilling encounters to the spectators.
First Match: Nagpur’s Dominance on Display
In the first match played on January 7, South Eastern Central Railway Headquarters, Nagpur, registered an emphatic 4–1 victory over Rajasthan Police, Rajasthan, thereby booking their place in the semi-finals.
The undisputed star of the match was Nirmal Munda, who produced a scintillating performance by scoring a hat-trick, becoming the first player in the tournament to achieve this feat.
Nagpur asserted their dominance right from the opening whistle. In the 6th minute, Thushal opened the scoring to give Nagpur an early lead. Thereafter, the team maintained complete control over the game, denying Rajasthan Police any meaningful opportunity to mount a comeback.
Strict Adherence to Discipline and Rules
Due to yellow/red cards received in previous matches, one player from each team was ruled ineligible for this encounter. Match Commissioner Neeraj Sharma clarified the situation in accordance with tournament regulations and ensured the smooth conduct of the match.
Distinguished Guests Grace the Occasion
The first match was graced by Chief Guest Ravindra Kaur Chhabra, President of the Municipal Council.
Distinguished guests included Vice President Hanuman Khandelwal, Leader of Opposition Shobharam Patel, INTUC General Secretary Amarjeet Singh, Chairman Narayan Jaiswal, Jaideep Pal, Govind Agrawal, and several other eminent citizens.
The match officials included Sheikh Kunain, Suresh Vishwakarma, Deepak Kumar, and Gaurav Panche as referees.
Second Match: Bank of Baroda Registers Convincing Win
In the second match of the day, Bank of Baroda, Mumbai, delivered an impressive performance, defeating Railway Coach Factory, Kapurthala (Punjab) by 3–0.
The Chief Guest for this match was Shahdol District Superintendent of Police, Ramji Shrivastava. BJP Divisional In-Charge Gaurav Sirothiya and several public representatives were also present on the occasion.
Refereeing duties were handled by Nitesh Maravi, Shahrukh Khan, Rajpuri, and Sheikh Kunain. Demonstrating a balanced yet aggressive approach, Bank of Baroda maintained firm control throughout the match and secured a decisive victory. This match marked the final league fixture of the tournament.
Praise for Excellent Ground Management and Organization
The immaculate ground preparation and match arrangements were efficiently managed by Jaideep Pal, Shobharam Patel, Govind Agrawal, and the entire organizing team.
Special appreciation was extended to Sanitation Supervisor Sharda Imaliya and her team for maintaining cleanliness and order within the stadium premises.
Special Presence of Indian Expat from the USA
A special highlight of the event was the presence of Indian expatriate Mohammed Harun from the United States, along with his son Aryan (California), in the commentary box.
Mr. Harun warmly interacted with officials and spectators and shared that his son Aryan is an accomplished football player in the USA. On Aryan’s special request, the family visited Subhash Stadium to witness the live football action.
At the request of commentator Pandit Ajay Dwivedi, Mr. Harun addressed the organizing committee, players, and spectators, emphasizing the importance of sports. He stated:
“Football is not merely a game; it is a school of discipline, teamwork, and self-confidence. Such well-organized grassroots tournaments in India will play a vital role in giving the country a strong international identity in football.”
He commended the Dhanpuri Municipal Council and the organizing committee for their excellent arrangements, stating that such initiatives reflect that “the future of Indian football is in safe hands.”
Encouraging the players, he urged them to pursue continuous practice, discipline, and dedication. He further shared that his son Aryan plays football at a high level in California, and witnessing such tournaments in India inspires youth to aim for the global stage. His address was warmly applauded by players and spectators alike.
Live Commentary Keeps Spectators Engaged
The audience eagerly awaited the live, moment-by-moment commentary, which was skillfully delivered by Ajay Dwivedi and Advocate Kalam Mohammed, enhancing the excitement of the matches.
Active Role of the Organizing Committee
The Dhanpuri Municipal Council’s organizing committee has been working tirelessly to ensure the tournament’s success.
Key contributors include President Ravindra Kaur Chhabra, Vice President Hanuman Prasad Khandelwal, Secretary Pooja Bunkar, Technical Advisor Manoj Shrivastava, along with the entire dedicated team, whose efforts have been widely appreciated.
