Tura, Sept 21: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma was among the crowd at the P.A. Sangma Stadium on Monday for an evening of football that refused to end in regulation. Two finals ended 1-1, and both went to penalties, with Gabil Mahari taking the women’s Mahari Cup and Chambugong Mahari the men’s.
The Chief Minister, who attended along with other dignitaries, also felicitated the Riprap Band, one of the most popular rock and folk-rock acts from the Garo Hills.
The Chief Minister’s Special Grant (CMSG) sanctioned ₹11 lakh for this year’s tournament, up from ₹9 lakh last year, plus ₹5.2 lakh for the 52 participating teams, each representing a Mahari (clan).
Gabil Mahari beat defending champions Mangsang Mahari 3-2 on penalties to win the 4th Inter Mahari Women’s Football Tournament, after a 1-1 draw. It was a rematch of last year’s final, which Mangsang won.
The first half was goalless.
Mangsang’s Santila Sangma was booked in the 27th minute. Norik G. Momin put Gabil ahead in the 49th, and Fretha Sangma equalised for Mangsang in the 55th. In the shootout, Gabil scored three of their five penalties and Mangsang two of theirs.
The final was played over 30 minutes per half, instead of the usual 25.
Men’s final: Chambugong dominate the shootout
Chambugong Mahari beat Do’po Mahari 4-1 on penalties to win the 6th Inter Mahari Men’s Football Tournament, after a 1-1 draw.
Tremarchwal Ch. Marak put Chambugong ahead in the 21st minute, and Rikmang R. Marak levelled for Do’po in the 40th. Armon Ch. Marak of Chambugong and Do’po’s Greatbath D. Sangma were booked in the 40th and 48th minutes respectively.
In the shootout, Chambugong scored all four of their attempts while Do’po converted just one of three.
This was one of the biggest sporting event of the year in Tura drawing record crowds that sprawled out all over the stadium and beyond, turningTura town into a night of celebrations with festive fans swarming onto the streets well past midnight.
