Raipur. The thrilling men's hockey final of the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 concluded today at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Hockey Stadium in Raipur. In a closely contested contest, Odisha proved its superiority, defeating Jharkhand 4-1 to win the gold medal.

The thrill of the match: upsets and comebacks

The match got off to a surprising start. Jharkhand displayed tremendous aggression in the first quarter, scoring a goal in the opening minutes of the match to take a 1-0 lead. Following this initial setback, Odisha changed its strategy. In the second quarter, Odisha's players displayed excellent coordination, scoring two back-to-back goals, ensuring a 2-1 lead at halftime.

Odisha's well-planned strategy

The third quarter also saw a close contest between the two teams. Jharkhand created several chances to equalize, but Odisha's strong defense prevented them from succeeding. Meanwhile, Odisha scored another field goal to make the score 3-1. Jharkhand's players appeared under pressure in the final and fourth quarters, and Odisha capitalized on this by scoring their fourth goal to seal the victory.

Winners and runners-up

Odisha's precise passing and excellent finishing made them champions. With this impressive victory, Odisha won the gold medal, while runner-up Jharkhand settled for the silver. Sports fans praised the fighting spirit of both teams.