The Indian Oil Corporation’s women’s hockey team dethroned the reigning champion and undisputed queens of Indian domestic hockey, the Railways Sports Promotion Board, to win the 3rd Hockey India Inter-Departmental National Championship at the Shivaji Stadium in Delhi.
It was a close game, with both finals possessing the crème of current and previous national players. The IOC, which lacked experience but made up for it with youth, enthusiasm and crowd support, rallied from a two-goal deficit to first tie 4-4 to force a shootout and then stun Railways, with custodian Bichu Devi Kharibam denying her superiors on the India side to ensure victory.
Railways and IOC both enjoyed unbeaten runs to the final before the latter won. SAI finished third after defeating SSB 3-1 in the bronze medal play.