Kurukshetra University, Haryana, and host University of Mumbai advanced via different routes to the final of the INK Infrastructure-Inter-Zonal Inter-University Men’s Hockey, conducted by the M.M.K. College of Commerce and Economics. The former won the semifinal 3-1 via penalty strokes, the latter was awarded the match after Guru Nanak Dev University, Amristar, down 0-3 staged a walkout disputing an umpiring decision.
Goalkeeper Manjit Sight played a key role in helping Kurushetra stroke out Madras 3-1, after the team were tied 1-1 in regulation time. He blocked the first four attempts by the Madras lads in the penalty shootout. In the first semi-final, GNDU disputed the umpires decision and walked out after the third goal was scored against them in the 33rd minute.
Technical official Noor Shaikh gave the Amritsar side mandatory two minutes to restart the match, but GNDU refused. Judge Varinder Singh then awarded the match to the Mumbai team. GNDU coach Mannu Sood blamed the poor officiating for withdrawing the team from the match, though no official protest was lodged as per Tournament Director Sukhbir Singh.
Semi-final results: University of Mumbai 3 (Nitin Kumar, Yuvraj Walmiki, Boon D’Souza) beat Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar 0. GNDU conceded the match. Kurushetra University, Haryana 3 (Harmeet Singh 2, Rohtash) beat Madras University 1 (S Manoj).
