About five years ago, Sunderagarh Sports Hostel’s — Orissa’s representation in Subroto Cup — qualification for the main draw of the tournament used to trigger wild celebrations in the neighbourhood. Over the last three years, the voices haven’t been as loud although it has risen with each step the school team has taken every passing year.

Since former District Sports Officer (DSO) Surendra Nath Padhy’s appointment as the coach in 2007-08, they have beaten all state school teams to make three consecutive appearances in India’s biggest football event at the level. And each of these three years has seen Orissa has moved a step forward.

In 2006, they failed to qualify for the second round. In 2007, they made their first knockout stage entry in reaching the quarter-finals. Last year, they made the last four of what promised to be a run to the title and striker Shankho Marandi was awarded the Most Promising Player of the tournament. The coach desists reading too much into this uphill graph but wishes that the boys from Sundergarh will be remembered for winning the 50th edition of the international tournament.

“These are the most obedient boys I have coached. It’s a very basic yet the best quality for learners. We were unlucky to lose last year’s semi-final and hope we reach the final this year. It will be a first for the hostel," Padhy told Sportline. His confidence stems from the team’s quarter-final qualification with one game in hand in the pre-quarterfinal league and a total of eight wins from nine matches.

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