Ryan girls, Vasant Vihar boys are under 16 handball champs

Sakshi Singh and Sravya Pawar, both 14, played significant roles in helping Ryan International School (Nerul) emerge champions, defeating LR & SM Vissanji Academy (Andheri) 11 3 in the girls under 16 final of the inter school handball tournament at Azad Maidan on Saturday. Incidentally, the two finalists were making their debut in this MSSA handball competition.

Attacking forwards Sakshi and Sravya played aggressively and scored five and four goals respectively. ADVERTISEMENT They received good support from teammates Ichha Desai and Aditi Singh, both striking one goal each to seal the triumph. The Vissanji Academy team scored their goals through Mehek Kotian, Rashi Chheda and Kritika Kedia—all scoring a goal each.

In the boys final played at the adjacent field, Vasant Vihar School (Thane) clinched top honours after St Joseph’s High School (Wadala) forfeited the match after a disagreement with a couple of minutes remaining for the final whistle. Vasant Vihar’s lanky forward Sahhill Khule scored three goals as the Thane team lead 4 2 when St Joseph’s coaches, unhappy with one of the decisions against them by the referee, staged a walkout.

The referees requested the Wadala side to return to the field, but when they didn’t, and after waiting for five minutes, they awarded the match to the Thane team. In the girls third place match, Vasant Vihar School (Thane) defeated Witty International School (Malad) 7 3. In the boys third place match, IES School Charkop (Kandivli) got the better of Yashodham High School (Goregaon) 9 6..