BILASPUR, CHHATTISGARH — South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) successfully concluded its Inter-Regional Hockey Tournament 2026–27 at the Late Shri B.R. Yadav International Hockey Stadium in Bahतरai, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, on October 17, 2026. The four-day tournament, held from October 14 to 17, brought together 16 teams representing various SECL operational areas and units, showcasing competitive hockey, discipline, teamwork, and sporting spirit.
Jamuna Kotma emerged as the tournament champion, defeating Sohagpur 1–0 in the final to secure the title. Sohagpur finished as the runner-up, while Gevra claimed third place after defeating Raigarh in the third-place playoff.
The closing ceremony was attended by senior SECL officials, including Chairman-cum-Managing Director Harish Duhan, who served as the chief guest. The event celebrated the achievements of the participating teams and highlighted the company’s continued commitment to promoting sports and employee development.
Jamuna Kotma Wins the Final 1–0 Against Sohagpur
The final match between Jamuna Kotma and Sohagpur was the tournament’s decisive contest, with both teams competing for the championship title.
Jamuna Kotma defeated Sohagpur by a narrow 1–0 margin, securing the winner’s trophy after four days of competition. The result established Jamuna Kotma as the champion of the SECL Inter-Regional Hockey Tournament 2026–27.
Sohagpur delivered a strong performance throughout the tournament to reach the final and ultimately finished as the runner-up.
In the third-place playoff, held earlier on the final day, Gevra defeated Raigarh to secure third place in the competition.
The tournament featured 16 teams representing different SECL areas and units, providing employees with an opportunity to demonstrate their hockey skills and compete in a structured sporting environment.
Senior SECL Officials Attend the Closing Ceremony
The closing ceremony was attended by senior management representatives and distinguished guests from SECL and the wider hockey community.
The principal dignitaries included:
- Harish Duhan — Chairman-cum-Managing Director, SECL, and chief guest.
- Biranchi Das — Director (Human Resources), SECL.
- Himanshu Jain — Chief Vigilance Officer, SECL.
- Ramesh Chandra Mahapatra — Director (Technical/Operations), SECL.
The dignitaries presented trophies and awards to the champion, runner-up, and third-place teams in recognition of their performances.
Their presence underscored the importance SECL places on employee participation in sports and the development of a strong sporting culture within the organization.
Representatives from hockey associations, employee welfare bodies, and various SECL committees and associations also attended the ceremony.
CMD Harish Duhan Highlights the Importance of Sports
Addressing the gathering, SECL CMD Harish Duhan emphasized that sports play an important role in developing discipline, teamwork, leadership, and mutual coordination.
He noted that sporting activities provide employees with opportunities to strengthen their ability to work collectively toward shared objectives.
According to the message conveyed during the ceremony, SECL will continue to encourage sports activities as part of its broader commitment to the holistic development of its employees.
Sports can contribute to a healthier workplace culture by promoting physical fitness, mutual respect, fair competition, and a sense of belonging among employees from different operational areas.
The tournament also provided an opportunity for personnel from various SECL units to interact beyond their regular professional responsibilities and build stronger relationships through competition.
Participation From 16 Teams Across SECL
The 2026–27 edition of the inter-regional hockey tournament brought together 16 teams from SECL’s different operational areas and units.
The four-day event was organized at the Late Shri B.R. Yadav International Hockey Stadium in Bahतरai, with SECL headquarters serving as the host.
The tournament provided a competitive platform for employees to represent their respective areas and demonstrate their sporting abilities.
Inter-regional competitions of this kind can help identify talented players, encourage regular participation in sports, and promote a culture of fitness and teamwork across large industrial organizations.
The successful completion of the tournament reflected the collective efforts of the participating teams, organizers, officials, and supporting staff.
Hockey and Employee Welfare at SECL
As a major coal-producing public sector enterprise, SECL’s operations involve a large workforce distributed across multiple mining areas and administrative units.
Organized sporting events offer employees opportunities to participate in recreational and competitive activities, helping support physical well-being and workplace engagement.
The company’s emphasis on sports also reflects the broader role of employee welfare initiatives in fostering an inclusive organizational environment.
By bringing together teams from different operational areas, the inter-regional hockey tournament encouraged interaction, coordination, and a shared sense of identity among members of the SECL workforce.
The participation of senior management at the closing ceremony further highlighted the importance attached to these activities.
Distinguished Guests and Representatives Attend
The ceremony was also attended by representatives from several sporting, welfare, and employee organizations.
Those present included the secretary of Hockey Chhattisgarh, the president of Hockey Bilaspur, a member of the Coal India Welfare Board, members of the SECL Operations Committee, representatives of the SECL Welfare Board, headquarters and regional Joint Consultative Committees, regional welfare committees, and various councils and associations.
A large number of officers and employees also attended the event.
Their participation added to the significance of the closing ceremony and demonstrated the wide organizational support for sports and employee engagement initiatives.
Final Standings: SECL Inter-Regional Hockey Tournament 2026–27
The tournament concluded with the following results: Position Team Result ChampionJamuna Kotma Defeated Sohagpur 1–0 in the final Runner-upSohagpur Lost the final 0–1 Third PlaceGevra Defeated Raigarh in the playoff Fourth Place Raigarh Lost the third-place playoff
The supplied announcement did not specify the score of the third-place playoff.
Four Days of Competition Strengthen SECL’s Sporting Culture
The tournament, conducted from October 14 to 17, concluded successfully after four days of competition.
Beyond the final results, the event highlighted the values of discipline, sportsmanship, teamwork, coordination, and organizational unity.
The participation of 16 teams demonstrated the interest in hockey among employees across SECL’s different areas and units.
The successful organization of the competition also reinforced the company’s commitment to providing opportunities for employees to engage in sports and develop their abilities beyond the workplace.
SECL congratulated all participating teams and players for their efforts and performances throughout the tournament.
Conclusion
The SECL Inter-Regional Hockey Tournament 2026–27 concluded on October 17 at the Late Shri B.R. Yadav International Hockey Stadium in Bahतरai, with Jamuna Kotma securing the championship after defeating Sohagpur 1–0 in the final.
Gevra finished third after defeating Raigarh in the playoff, completing the tournament’s top-three standings.
SECL CMD Harish Duhan, accompanied by senior company officials and distinguished guests, presented trophies and awards to the successful teams and emphasized the importance of sports in developing leadership, discipline, and teamwork.
The four-day event brought together 16 teams and demonstrated the strength of SECL’s sporting culture and employee participation.
With Jamuna Kotma lifting the championship trophy, the tournament ended on a high note, celebrating competitive hockey, employee engagement, and the spirit of unity across the SECL family.
