06/08/2025
Penwood Academy, Birpara makes Dooars proud, advances to CISCE National Level Tournament to be held in Greater Noida, UP
Birpara, August 6 – Penwood Academy, Birpara has brought glory to the Dooars region by winning the Zonal Football Tournament and advancing to the CISCE National Games 2025. The Zonal tournament for Zone J, organised under the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), was hosted by St. James School, Binnaguri on July 30th.
Zone J includes reputed CISCE-affiliated schools from Siliguri, Alipurduar, and the Dooars area, such as Don Bosco, Siliguri; Little Angels, Hamiltonganj; Boon English School, Hamiltonganj; St. Paul’s, Jalpaiguri; and host school St. James, Binnaguri.
Zonal Journey to Victory
Penwood Academy showcased stellar performance throughout the tournament:
Qualifier Match: Penwood Academy vs Don Bosco, Siliguri – 1-0
A crucial last-minute goal in the second half by team captain Sahil Pakhrin ensured a dramatic victory.
Semi-final: Penwood Academy vs St. Paul’s, Jalpaiguri – 2-0
Sahil Pakhrin continued his form, scoring both goals — one in each half — cementing Penwood's spot in the finals.
Final: Penwood Academy vs Little Angels, Hamiltonganj – 3-1 (AET)
After a goalless first half, both teams netted one goal each in the second half. In extra time, Penwood dominated with two decisive goals, ending the match 3-1 and clinching the Zone J title.
Regional Glory at Kolkata
Following their Zonal triumph, the best players from Zone J were selected to form a combined team for the CISCE Regional Games held at St. Thomas Boys’ School, Kolkata.
Team Composition:
7 players from Penwood Academy
4 from St. James, Binnaguri
3 from St. Paul’s, Jalpaiguri
Zone J opened their regional campaign with a thunderous 6-0 win against Zone E, featuring a hat-trick from captain Sahil Pakhrin (Penwood Academy), and goals by Tigen S***a (St. James), Medhajit Roy and Bikram Ray (both from St. Paul’s).
In the final, Zone J faced off against Zone A, emerging victorious with a 2-0 scoreline, thanks to second-half goals by Sahil Pakhrin and Sanjit Tamang, both from Penwood Academy.
National Dream Comes True
As a result of their remarkable performances, 6 out of 7 Penwood players have been selected to represent Team West Bengal and North East Region in the CISCE National Games 2025, to be held at St. Joseph’s School, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, on August 20th.
The six players — hailing from tea garden communities like Makrapara, Tasati, Dalmore, Bundapani, Garochira, and Birpara — are not only making their school proud but also inspiring an entire region.
Joining them will be 2 students from St. James, Binnaguri and 3 from St. Paul’s, Jalpaiguri, all playing together as one team at the National level.
What began as fierce competition at the Zonal stage has now transformed into camaraderie and teamwork, as players from different schools unite with one goal — to bring the National trophy home.
