Shillong, Jan 13: Don Bosco Soccer Academy retained their title of champions of the Josephine Kharkongor U-14 Football Tournament by winning the final 4-1 against the Josephine Kharkongor FC at the Rangdajied United Performance Centre in Pynthorbah here.
DBSA came from a goal down to win the match. They were also champions of last year’s edition, though that was for U-13s. JKFC were also runners-up last year.
The tournament began last Wednesday. It is an initiative of the legendary local footballer Agustine Kharkongor and named after his late mother.
Eight teams took part divided into two groups. Group A consisted of DBSA, Golden Touch, Upper Shillong SSCC and Rangdajied United. Group B comprised JKFC, Pay For Right Football Academy, All Star FA and Marbisu SC. The top two teams from each group progressed to the semifinals.
Individual awards were also distributed at the end of today’s match. These went to Best Player Hamebanskhem Marbaniang of DBSA, Best Goalkeeper Mewanskhem Kharpuli of DBSA and Top Scorer Nangmanbha of JKFC with eight goals.
Dignitaries and guests on the day included the Rangbah Shnong of Pynthorbah, past footballers Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Ailad Kynta, Aiborlang Khongjee, Arnest Lyngkhoi, current player Redeem Tlang and Meghalaya state team coach Khlain Pyrkhat Syiemlieh. From the Kharkongor family were Fr Anthony Kharkongor, the Principal of St Anthony’s Higher Secondary School, Agustine Kharkongor and Patricia Kharkongor.
(TSR photo)