Did DPS RK Puram and Govt. Girls Sr. Sec. School, Faridabad, Capture the Oriental Cup 2025 Titles?

New Delhi, July 29 (NationPress) The Oriental Cup Football Tournament 2025 wrapped up with an exhilarating finale, as Delhi Public School (DPS), RK Puram, and Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Faridabad clinched the championship titles in the boys’ and girls’ divisions, respectively.

Despite heavy morning showers that threatened to delay the finals at Dr. Ambedkar Stadium on Tuesday, the match commissioner, prioritizing the well-being of the student-athletes, decided to proceed with both finals using penalty shootouts after consulting with coaches and organizers.

The event was graced by Zafar Iqbal, the 1980 Moscow Olympic gold medallist and former captain of the Indian hockey team, whose presence inspired participants as he presented the trophies to the victors.

Iqbal expressed his admiration, stating, “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Fareed Bakshi and the entire team at Oriental Structural Engineers (OSE) for their outstanding organization of such an impactful tournament.”

“Events like this are crucial in nurturing grassroots football and developing future sporting talent. Congratulations to both the champions and the runners-up for their remarkable performances,” he added.

In the girls’ final, newcomers Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Faridabad, triumphed over two-time champions Sanskriti School in a nail-biting 4–3 penalty shootout, making their debut campaign unforgettable. Players Palak, Nidhi, Tanisha, and Somya successfully converted their penalties for Faridabad, while Aditi Chamoli, Amina Abdali, and Azaira Bajaj found the net for Sanskriti.

Coach Preeti was overwhelmed by the achievement, stating, “This was our first participation, and honestly, we didn’t expect to reach the finals. Our girls are exceptionally talented. They began their journey with us two years ago, and we taught them from the ground up. We always believed they would achieve greatness, and as a coach, I feel immensely proud today.”

In the boys’ final, DPS RK Puram narrowly defeated The Mother’s International School with a thrilling 5–4 victory in the shootout. Players Arhan Gupta, Ayush Ranjan, Afraaj Taeiq, Aarav Pahwa, and Kartik Kashyap displayed remarkable composure, while Amogh Shandilya, Daivik Bejgotra, Dhruv Tuli, and Trigya Chaturvedi scored for MIS, who narrowly missed out on the title.

DPS head coach Gobardhan Sahoo commended the tournament's organization, saying, “The tournament is exceptionally well-structured and provides students with a fantastic experience. The facilities are first-rate, and support has been tremendous. I believe the choice to proceed with the penalty shootout instead of declaring joint winners was wise, as it fostered competitive spirit and motivation among young athletes.”

Each winning team received a cash prize of ₹1,00,000 along with the Oriental Cup trophy. Runners-up were awarded ₹50,000, while the winning and runner-up coaches received ₹30,000 and ₹15,000, respectively.

Taking place from July 21 to July 29, 2025, the Oriental Cup Football Tournament 2025 featured 36 school teams, comprising 24 boys’ teams and 12 girls’ teams, from across Delhi-NCR. The matches were played in a league-cum-knockout format, recognized by the Delhi Soccer Association (DSA), establishing the tournament as a leading platform for school-level football in the capital.

Supported by Oriental Structural Engineers Pvt. Ltd. as the title sponsor, in addition to Central Park Estates (associate sponsor), Ocean Beverages (hydration partner), and Nivia Sports (football partner), the Oriental Cup continues to expand its influence and reputation.