SHILLONG: The year 2012 proved to be eventful year in several sporting events.
Meghalaya scripted history by hosting the SAF Junior Table Tennis Championship, which was the first ever international sports event to be hosted by the state.
Having the event in Meghalaya proved to be lucky for the Indian contingent as they managed to clinch all the 10 gold medals to emerge as the overall champions at the championship.
Meanwhile, Archery Association of Meghalaya president Matsiewdor War Nongbri brought laurels to the state as she was nominated as one of the officials to the London Olympics in the archery events.
Later in the year, the Archery Association of Meghalaya president was elected as the vice president of the Archery Association of India.
Two young state pugilists Sebastian Nongrum and Kushal Gurung also managed to honour the state by winning the bronze medals in the 28th Junior Men National Boxing Championship.
Another major development of the year is the revival of hockey in the state.
This dream to revive hockey was realised when in early 2012, the Meghalaya State Hockey Association was formed and coaching camps for players and for aspiring players were organised in different parts of the state.
But one of the biggest success stories of hockey in Meghalaya was its inclusion as one of the disciplines in the Shillong Games, which were held in the city.
However, only four teams were formed to participate and compete to win the prestigious first Shillong Games trophy in the discipline of hockey.
The four participating were Laitumkhrah, Umsohsun, Pynthorumkhrah and Umpling and the tournament was won by Laitumkhrah, who defeated Umpling 4-0.
Meanwhile, after a gap of more than 10 years, the Meghalaya Athletic Association (MAA) held the State Athletic Meet in Tura.
Jaintia Hills District Sports Association edged past Ri-Bhoi to emerge as the champions in the three-day event.
Jaintia Hills bagged 36 medals with 15 Gold, 12 Silver and 9 Bronze medals followed by Ri-Bhoi who also won 15 gold medals but managed only 9 Silver and 8 bronze medals to finish as runners-up.
During the closing ceremony of the athletic meet, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma had announced a monthly “incentive” for all the successful athletes in the meet.
The Chief Minister said that stipend of Rs 3,000, Rs 2,000 and Rs 1,500 would be given to the top three athletes respectively in each of the events.
Meanwhile, St Anthony’s Higher Secondary School lifted the 9th North East School Soccer Tournament in Dimapur.
However, for the time every two schools from Jaintia Hills, Government Higher Secondary School and Amwi Jarain Secondary School represented the State in the Subroto Mukherjee Cup in the Under-14 and Under-17 category at Delhi.
Both the schools failed to qualify in the final of the tournament, but put up a fine effort
