Tura, March 5: The finals of the P. A. Sangma Memorial Basketball Tournament 2025 went down to the wire on the grounds of Don Bosco College on Tuesday evening as sports lovers of Tura witnessed one of the most competitive games ever to be played in a major league tournament in this part of the state.
The team from Shillong- Salesian Youth Movement, lifted the trophy after defeating local favourites Sangkni in a tightly fought match that none was able to predict until the final whistle was blown.
The tournament, organized by the Tura Basketball Club, brought together 12 teams from across Meghalaya, with professional players from outside the state also chipping in to elevate the competition and provide invaluable exposure for the local players.
From the moment the game took off, team SYM was in control, shooting multiple baskets and cruising with a steady lead through the first two quarters of the game.
But rivals Team Sangkni was in no mood to allow a walk over. With cheering from the crowds that had filled the outdoor mini stadium of the college. Sangkni roared back with an array of high end baskets quickly overturning the deficit to take a seven-point lead, sending the crowds into a frenzy. It appeared that the momentum was now firmly in Sangkni’s favor, but SYM had other plans.
In a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback, SYM went on the offensive, taking the battle to their opponents camp and turning the tables around.
With sheer resilience and determination, they were able to overtake Sangkni to secure a razor thin 69-62 victory. The final buzzer was met with jubilant celebrations from the SYM players and their supporters, as they lifted the coveted trophy and claimed the winner’s prize of 50,000 rupees. Sangkni, despite their valiant effort, took home the runner-up trophy and a prize of 25,000 rupees.
The tournament was sponsored by the Chief Minister’s Special Grant and supported by the West Garo Hills District Administration, the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council, and co-sponsored by Nivia Sports Pvt. Ltd., The Meghalayan Express, and Hub News.
West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Jagdish Chelani attended the finals as the Chief Guest, alongside Raymond Sangma, Vice Chairman of Meghalaya Mineral Development Corporation, Assistant Commissioner Chaitanya Awasthi, BCCI Video Analyst Salmitmat Marak, and Rev. Fr. Januarius S. Sangma, SDB, Principal of Don Bosco College.
Individual accolades were also awarded, with SYM’s Renaldy Jyrwa named Player of the Match for his pivotal role in the final. Arbas Ali Shah of SYM was crowned Player of the Tournament, a testament to his consistent excellence throughout the competition.
The holding of this first ever mega basketball tournament has set the gold standard for basketball battles in the years to come.
