Thousands turn up to get a glimpse of the soccer star
From Our Correspondent
TURA: Former captain and Indian football star Baichung Bhutia was given a standing ovation on his arrival at Tura MP stadium to witness the final of the 6th MP Cup Football Tournament on Friday afternoon.
The talented soccer star who made it big from the tiny state of Sikkim was all praise for the green cover of the town and the enthusiasm shown by the soccer fans.
“I found Tura very similar to Sikkim with plenty of forest cover and the turnout for the game clearly shows the interest of the people for the game of soccer,” said Baichung while speaking to the crowd before the start of the final match.
The soccer star was earlier given a traditional welcome by a Wangala troupe that escorted him to the podium. He was later taken on an open top gypsy for the crowd to get a glimpse of the only Indian who made it big in the international soccer arena becoming a brand ambassador in the process.
Baichung also gave lessons to young upcoming soccer stars of Garo Hills by displaying some of his skills on control of the ball and different styles of long distance shots.
He later gave away the trophy and cash award to the winners of the final in which Maram Football Club defeated Boca Juniors Football Club of Tura 2-1.
Maram opened an early account during the first half of the game and consolidated their position with a second goal during the second half. For Boca Juniors it was a consolation when they netted the ball during a penalty awarded against Maram FC for foul play inside the penalty area towards the dying minutes of the game.
Maram FC walked off with a trophy and cash prize of Rs. 75,000/- while Boca Juniors was awarded the runners up trophy and cash prize of Rs. 40,000/-.
The tournament was organized by the sports academy of P A Sangma Foundation and union minister of state for rural development and local MP Ms Agatha K Sangma sponsored the awards with the State Bank of India also contributing a sum of twenty-five thousand rupees.
Union Minister of State Agatha K Sangma, her father P A Sangma, leader of the opposition Conrad K Sangma, and a host of NCP MLAs and MDCs also attended the grand finale which saw one of the largest gathering of people for a football tournament in recent times.