Maharashtra Crowned Champion of National Cricket Competition

Udaipur: Maharashtra emerged as the champion of the 68th National Cricket Competition for schoolgirls (under 19) organized by SGFI, defeating Uttar Pradesh by 16 runs. In a thrilling final, Uttar Pradesh won the toss and chose to field first. Maharashtra, batting first, scored 138 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Uttar Pradesh, chasing the target, managed to score only 122 runs for 6 wickets in 20 overs. Prajli was named the Player of the Match for her performance in the final.

Throughout the tournament, Maharashtra's Arohi Bambode was awarded the Best Batswoman for scoring the most runs, while Rajasthan's fast bowler Happy Khechad, who took 17 wickets, was named the Best Bowler. Maharashtra's Dharavi won the Player of the Tournament award, and the Best Fielder was Mahak from Chhattisgarh. In another match played at the MB A ground, Rajasthan defeated Jharkhand by 55 runs to secure third place and claim the bronze medal. Happy Khechad was the Player of the Match in this match.

The closing ceremony was graced by Dr. S. S. Sarangdevot, Vice Chancellor of Janardan Rai Nagar Rajasthan University, as the chief guest. Dr. Lokesh Bharti, District Education Officer (Secondary Education), chaired the event. Special guests included Murli Dhar Chobisa, Additional District Education Officer (Secondary Education), Akash Narula (CEO, Vedanta UP), Laxman Salvi (District Education Officer of Physical Education), SGFI observers Rajesh Verma and D.K. Singh, Hemaram Chaudhary from the Bikaner Directorate, and Atmaram (Deputy District Education Officer of Physical Education, Bikaner), among others. 

The event was conducted by Harish Vaishnav, Vanita Bagrecha, Richa Roopal, and Payal Kumawat. The guests presented awards to the players of the winning, runner-up, and third-place teams. Gopal Mehta Menaria from the media committee expressed gratitude to all media houses for prominently covering the competition and presented two news booklets to SGFI observers and District Education Officer Lokesh Bharti. 

In recognition of their commendable services, the principal of the host school, Ashutosh Tuli, and senior physical education teacher Vijay Singh Rawat, along with several others including Sanjay Badala, JP Bhavsar, Anil Arya, Bheru Singh Rathore, and Bhama Shahs, were honored with commemorative mementos. 

The girls of Dhanmandi School gave remarkable cultural performances. Ashutosh Tuli, the principal of MGGSS Sundarwas School, presented the competition report. Senior physical education teachers Yashpal Khatik and Govind Mehta handed over the competition flag to SGFI's observers. Following the conclusion of the competition, the players of the winning, runner-up, and third-place teams celebrated with energetic dancing.