SHILLONG: Ampati FC emerged as the champions of the 2nd Chief Minister’s Invitational Football Tournament by beating Druma Sandruma FC 5-1 in the final, which was played in Ampati on Monday.
Altogether 11 teams were invited to play in the tournament and nine teams from Garo Hills played in the league matches where six teams qualified for the quarterfinals knockout stage along with a team from Shillong Lajong FC and Mawkyrwat District Sports Association.
Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma was the chief guest during the final and he also gave away the trophy and the cash prize to the winners.
Addressing a large crowd on the occasion, Dr Sangma said that these kinds of tournaments were being organized in every district as it was the government’s endeavour to promote games and sports in a “hub and spoke” model with a special focus on football, the most popular sport in the state.
The government has sanctioned funds for creation of football stadiums for hosting big tournaments and very soon we will have stadiums fit to host national and international football tournaments, Dr Sangma said.
Later, the chief minister and the other dignitaries gave away the trophies and cash prizes to the winners and the runners-up teams.
The champions of the tournament, Ampati FC, walked away with the cash prize of Rs 5 lakh, while the runners-up team Druma Sandruma were given a cash prize of Rs 2.5 lakh.
Abung Meitei of Ampati FC was adjudged the best player of the tournament and came away with a cheque of Rs 10,000.
