SHILLONG: The East Khasi Hills boys and girls teams won by large margins on the opening day of the State Level Chief Minister’s Under-12 Football Tournament at the JN Stadium, Polo, on Tuesday.
The meet will witness the participation of 350 young footballers from the 11 districts of Meghalaya.
Speaking at the inaugural function, chief guest P Kharkongor, Principal Secretary Sports & Youth Affairs, stressed on the need to nurture and support the youngsters in order to enable them to achieve success at the state level as well as regionally and nationally.
He also highlighted the need to develop infrastructure and he ensured that the state is committed to providing the necessary assistance.
In the boys matches, East Khasi Hills beat North Garo Hills 10-0, with two players recording hat-tricks.
The scorers were Armystar Shadap (8th, 16th, 25th minutes), Rickyjohn Shabong (15th, 42th), Rimack Kharmalki (31th, 33th, 41th, 42th) and Wanshan Wahlang (34th).
West Khasi Hills beat West Garo Hills 4-0 through Wanshanlang Syiemlieh (24th), Aibantei (33th), Baby Sunday Marngar (39th) and Mebanshemlang (40th).
The other winners in the elimination matches were East Jaintia Hills, who defeated East Garo Hills 2-0, and Ri-Bhoi, who were 4-0 winners over South West Garo Hills.
EJH’s scorers were Stephan Phawa (9th) and Emaroy Dkhar (11th).
Rishan Manih (4th, 5th) and Franky Thabah (12th, 22nd) scored for Ri-Bhoi.
The girls from Ri-Bhoi were also victorious, beating South West Garo Hills 2-0 via a brace by Lily Lyngdoh (39th, 50th).
South West Khasi Hills edged West Khasi Hills 1-0 (Idasris Jyrwa, 17th) and, by the same margin, North Garo Hills outdid West Garo Hills, with Chuanme Sangma (16th) the scorer.
East Khasi Hills, however, scored nine goals over East Jaintia Hills with a hat-trick by Nisilia Majaw (12th, 31th, 34th, 46th).
The other goal scorers were Marbarin Nongrum (3rd), Manita Khongsit (5th), Banriakor Kharkamni (35th, 48th) and Laiahunlang Nongsteng (40th).