India

Railways won their 20th national title, but this time jointly with Haryana, in a dramatic final match of the national women's hockey championship that was marred by poor umpiring decisions and walk-out by players here today.
The cup was awarded to both the teams after the tournament organisers found the light to be insufficient to carry on the match after the regulation time during which the score was level 1-1.

In an earlier match, Sarita Lakra's 56th minute strike saw Jharkhand clinching the bronze medal with a 1-0 win over Mumbai.

Though the two best teams in the national circuit were pitted against each other in the summit clash, the match never rose to great heights while it was marred by frayed tempers and walk-out by Haryana players in protest against some umpiring decisions.

Umpire Anupama from Bangalore drew the ire of the Haryana team when she sent off two players Harpreet and Sarvjeet in a space of two minutes -- 45th and 46th -- for foul play.

The situation reached a boiling point when a minute after Sarvjeet was yellow-carded, Anupama awarded a penalty stroke to Railways for an obstruction inside the circle much to the chagrin of the Haryana players.

Haryana coach Baldev Singh immediately called his wards off the ground even as Railways got ready to take the shot amidst boos and jeers from the Haryana supporters in the stand. PTI

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