[ Prafulla Kaman ]

RUKSIN, 23 Aug: Anju team (segment) of Ngorlung won the trophy of the third edition of the Ali Mongku Memorial (Inter-Village) Football Tournament, defeating Mibo Yameng (Makbo) team in the final match at the Ngorlung-Ralung playground in East Siang district on Sunday.

Champion team Anju scored 5 goals, and Mibo Yameng, a collection of players from different areas of East Siang district, managed to score only 2 goals in the final match.

The first half of the match ended with a 1-1 draw. The Anju team added four more goals during the second half. The Mibo Yameng team, despite having several opportunities, could return one more goal in the second half.

The tournament was inaugurated by Ruksin-I ZPM Miti Dai Paron, in the presence of a host of dignitaries, on 8 August. It was sponsored by Thomas Mongku and his family in memory of his late father (Ali Mongku), and organised by Siisang Angong Sirum of Ngorlung.

The champion team got Rs 40,000 cash along with the coveted trophy, and the runner-up team got Rs 20,000 cash with a trophy.

The organisers also awarded cash prizes to the best player, the 'best discipline team', and the third place team of the tournament. They also honoured veteran footballer and Ruksin Forest Range Officer Opnag Jamoh and other senior sportsmen of the area.

Attending the closing ceremony of the tournament, former Ruksin block ZPM Tonggeng Panyang urged the players to adopt games and sports activities in their daily routines, saying that it is necessary for maintaining sound body and mind.

Speaking on the occasion, former Ruksin-I ZPM Aruni Jamoh urged the players and local youths to pay respect to the elders and draw inspiration from senior sportsmen.

She said that PRI leaders should work for the development of the playgrounds and supply adequate sports materials for growing youths.

Among others, the organising committee's adviser Devish Panyang and youth leader Anand Mongku also spoke and recalled the social contributions made by late Ali Mongku.