SHILLONG: Eight individuals and one team were nominated for the U Kiang Nangbah Award for sportspersons as part of the Meghalaya Day awards, reputed sources have revealed.
The OM Roy Memorial HSS football team were nominated for their achievement for winning the Under-17 Subroto Cup in October last year.
One individual footballer – Poibiang Pohshna who now plays for Rangdajied United FC – was also nominated for his part in the AFC U-17 Championship in 2004 and Santosh Trophy 2006.
One of the biggest names from last year – Wansuk Myrthong – was nominated for being the first woman from Meghalaya to scale Mount Everest.
Gary J Lamare also finds his name on the list for being the first person from the state to climb the world’s highest peak, in 2012.
The other names on the list are from the disciplines of arm wrestling, boxing and bodybuilding.
Boxer Bipin Pyngrope was considered for winning gold medals at various national events from the period 1999-2003.
Balaphrang Kharsing, a bodybuilder, was nominated for his first place achievement in the Iron Game Championship in Guwahati in 2012 as well as third place finishes in two other events.
The three arm wrestlers are Diana Jyrwa, Aiboklin Rina and Junestar Kharbuli.
The trio were nominated in part for their performances at state level events, but Rina also secured first place in the National Arm Wrestling championship in 2012, while Jyrwa won a medal in the World ArmSport Championship last year.
At least three of the nominees – OM Roy Memorial, Wansuk Myrthong and Gary Lamare – received several awards after achieving their feats and the U Kiang Nangbah Award would be yet another feather in their cap.
The others, however, have been rather less celebrated for their efforts.
