TFP Bureau, Korba; March 7, 2024: The BALCO Premier League, a flagship inter-departmental cricket tournament organized by Balco Management, concluded with an electrifying atmosphere at the Ambedkar Stadium. In a showdown of skill and determination, Hospital Female emerged victorious in the women’s category, defeating the formidable Shakti Township team. Meanwhile, in the fiercely contested men’s final, SRS Ashwathama and Commercial XI were crowned joint champions after an exhilarating match that ended in a tie.
The BALCO Premier League showcased the talents of 108 men’s and 14 women’s teams, comprising BALCO officers, employees, contract workers, and township players, who captivated sports enthusiasts with their stellar performances throughout the 45-day cricket extravaganza.
In the men’s final, Commercial XI showcased resilience as they chased a target of 79 runs, with the match culminating in a nail-biting finish. Needing just 1 run off the final ball, the tension soared as batsman Shivam was caught out, resulting in a tie. Even the subsequent Super Over failed to break the deadlock, leading to both teams being declared joint winners in a display of sportsmanship and camaraderie.
On the women’s front, Team Shakti Township fell short in their pursuit of the 54-run target set by Hospital Female, managing only 34 runs in response.
Individual excellence was also celebrated, with Commercial XI’s Vishnu Yadav earning the coveted title of Man of the Tournament in the men’s category. Kulkit Vaishnav was lauded as the Bowler of the Match, while Sushil Singh of SRS Ashwathama was named Player of the Match. In the women’s division, Sonali Senapati of Shakti Township claimed the Player of the Tournament accolade, with Dr. Smita Prasad of Hospital Female and Neha Toppo being honored as Player of the Match and Bowler of the Match, respectively.
Praising the spirited performances of all participating teams, BALCO CEO and Director, Shri Rajesh Kumar, commended the winning squads and emphasized the significance of such sporting events in fostering team spirit, unity, and mutual harmony.
The fifth edition of the BALCO Premier League witnessed the active participation of over 1400 individuals, including BALCO officials, employees, business partners, and township players. Beyond competitive matches, the tournament also featured goodwill matches aimed at nurturing young talent and fostering a sense of camaraderie within the organization. Notable fixtures included clashes between Senior Leadership CEO-11 vs CFO-11 and Senior Management vs Union, showcasing the organization’s commitment to promoting sportsmanship and teamwork.
