Maharshtra Women, Andhra Men Clinch National Softball Titles

Bhubaneswar: Maharashtra women and Andhra Pradesh men were adjudged champions in the 44th All India Softball Championships. Despite their valiant efforts, Punjab men and women finished runners-up in both categories. The five-day national championship held at Talabania Sports Complex in Puri concluded Thursday.

In the keenly contested men’s final, Andhra beat Punjab 1-0 to lift the trophy. Chhattisgarh men finished second runners-up and had to be content with the bronze medal. Similarly, Kerala women were awarded the bronze medal.

In the women’s category, Maharashtra’s Swapnali Bhaitandu was conferred the Best Pitcher award, while her teammate Aishwarya Poorie won the Best Catcher prize. Manpreet Singh of Punjab was adjudged the Best Player among women.

Similarly, in the men’s category the individual award winners were: Punjab’s Suresh (Best PItcher), champion Andhra’s Ram Baboo (Best Catcher) and Sagar Baboo (Best Player). The organisers informed that 26 men and 24 women teams participated in the championship.

Odisha Lift Irrigation Corporation chairperson and chief guest of the occasion Amaresh Patri gave away prizes to the winners. Among others, Biju Yuba Janata vice president Subhashis Khuntia, Puri districit sports officer Chandan Kumar Sahoo, DIPRO Satosh Kumar Sethy, district tourism officer Sarojkanta Pradhan and Odisha ssoftball association president Dipak Goud and secretary Debendra Kumar Sahu attended the valedictory ceremony.