Shillong, Jan 15: The U-18 football teams of West Garo Hills and Ri-Bhoi confirmed their places in the semifinals of the 5th Meghalaya Games with two commanding performances against South Garo Hills and East Jaintia Hills.
The two matches took place at Chandmari where Ri-Bhoi put in another commanding performance to defeat EJH 3-0 while the second match saw WGH decimate SGH 7-1. Football had started a few days before the official start of the Games.
At the PA Sangma Stadium, President of India Droupadi Murmu officially opened this edition of the multi-discipline event in the presence of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Sports & Youth Affairs Minister Shakliar Warjri and numerous other dignitaries.
“There is an urgent need to support the talent from the tribal areas and groom them to become professional sports persons. I am happy to note that the society of North East encourages women to play and join sports as a profession. I am confident that the Meghalaya Games will encourage athletes for excellence, promote competitiveness and create a vibrant sporting ecosystem,” she said.
For the Ri-Bhoi football team, the scorers were Riskhem Syiem, Jefree Kyrsain and N Syngkli.
In the match between WGH and SGH, the scorers were Baltimas K Marak, Nangrim M Sangma, Dimsrang Ch Sangma who scored a goal each while RD Sangma, and Kim Kim D Sangma scored braces.
Meanwhile, the badminton events commenced today at the Tura Indoor Hall.
In the first round of competition, Mewanlamkupar (first name only given) of Eastern West Khasi Hills beat Hunbait S Manner from West Jaintia Hills in a close contest with the final scoreline reading 18-21, 21-11, 23-21.
In the next really close contest, Stephan Marwein of East Khasi Hills defeated Biswajit Ghosh from West Garo Hills 21-18, 20-22, 22-20.
Civilo Ch Momin of South West Garo Hills secured a win against Nangkiewshaphrang from Eastern West Khasi hills by 23-21, 21-19.
In other matches, Gaurav Dutta of West Garo Hills was clinical in his victory over Jefrryford Lyngdoh from West Khasi Hills, winning 21-16, 21-11. Enrique Syiem of Ri-Bhoi also rolled over Banshanlang Pariong from West Khasi Hills in straight games 21-12, 21-10.
Raynel Kharbuki of East Khasi Hills had an easy outing by defeating Banshanbor Lamare from West Jaintia Hills 21-9, 21-14. In another match, Dabiangsakani of West Jaintia Hills hardly broke sweat against Baphishisha Marshillong from West Khasi Hills, defeating his rival 21-18, 21-12.
(Photo: Conrad K Sangma/Facebook)
