Finals – 96th All-India MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup Hockey Tournament
Chennai, July 21, 2025: The Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) claimed the coveted title of the 96th All-India MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup Hockey Tournament 2025, defeating Indian Navy (INN) 3-1 in an exciting final played at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium, Chennai, on Sunday. This victory marks the third consecutive year that the Railways has topped the podium.
Speaking on the occasion, M.M. Murugappan, Chairman, CUMI and Chola MS, said, “The partnership between Murugappa and MCC has been the driving force behind South India’s only national tournament. As we celebrate the 96th edition this year, we look forward to our continued collaboration towards 100 years, a centenary milestone and beyond. I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to the Railways team for their remarkable achievement of winning for three consecutive years. Our congratulations also to the Indian Navy team for their exceptional progress and determination. While they were not here last year, their presence in this year’s finals demonstrates their commitment and skill. As part of our environmental commitment, we aim to plant ten trees for every goal scored. I’m proud to announce that through this tournament, we will plant a total of 2,290 trees, contributing to our sustainability initiatives.”
Mr Vivek Reddy, President, MCC added, “It was a pleasure to witness such a high standard of hockey on display and the healthy spirit of competition. This tournament not only raises the bar for the sport but also strengthens India’s presence on the global hockey map. Tournaments like this are vital in shaping the future of Indian hockey.”
RSPB asserted their dominance early in the match, with Shivam Anand finding the back of the net in the 8th minute through a field goal to put his team ahead. Indian Navy quickly responded, as Aakib Rahim Arif restored parity with a fine field goal in the 15th minute, ending the first quarter on level terms.
In the second half, RSPB raised the tempo, and their persistence paid off in the 37th minute when Pankaj Rawat expertly converted a penalty corner to restore the lead. The Indian Navy fought tenaciously, pushing for an equalizer, but the RSPB defence held firm under pressure.
In the final quarter, Sayyad Niyaz Rahim sealed the victory for RSPB with an exceptional field goal in the 57th minute, putting the result beyond doubt and sparking celebrations on the Railway bench.
With this 3-1 triumph, RSPB lifts the prestigious MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup, capping off a remarkable campaign with an impressive team performance in the grand finale. The Indian Navy, who fought valiantly throughout the tournament, finished as worthy runners-up.
Plant a Goal – A sustainability initiative by Murugappa Group
As part of this year’s All-India MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup Hockey Tournament, a special sustainability initiative was introduced. Under the ‘Plant a Goal’ initiative, 10 trees will be planted for every goal scored during the overall tournament. This showcases the Group’s commitment to the environment and the responsibility that comes along with it. The Murugappa Group will be planting 2,290 trees at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium, and at Tharuvaikulam village in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, with the support of the communities in the region.
The Results:
Finals: Indian Railways 3 (Shivam Anand 08th minute, FG; Pankaj Rawat 37th minute, PC; Sayyad Niyaz Rahim 57th minute, FG) beats Indian Navy (Aakib Rahim Arif 15th minute, FG)