APC nix CM XI to clinch football friendly

Staff Reporter

NAHARLAGUN, Mar 11: The Arunachal Press Club (APC) XI pipped Chief Minister XI to clinch the friendly match trophy on the inaugural day of the Hangpan Dada Memorial Trophy on Football and Volleyball for Men and Women-2017 in a thrilling penalty shootout 3-0 (5-2), played at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Naharlagun on Saturday.  

Organised by the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, the 70 minutes match ended with a tie of 2-2, compelling the referee to call for penalty shootout.

CM-XI’s Pani Taram, Mohesh Chai and team captain Pema Khandu missed their chances at the penalty after spectacular saves by APC-XI goalkeeper Kalley Cheda and  conceded 3-0 (5-2) in total. From APC-XI, Duru Soki, Dogin Randa and Mathew Balo managed to easily find the net and sealed the victory for APC-XI.

Likha Saaya’s early goal put the CM-XI ahead of APC-XI barely six minutes into the game. However, APC-XI’s Joram Aka Bai equalized the score with his close range shot beating CM-XI goalkeeper Karbia Dodum in the 15^th minute. Gumnya Karbak added a second goal for CM-XI in 60 minutes, putting the team in a commanding position.

APC-XI striker Sonam Tabri Dada missed the penalty shootout, but midfielder Dogin Randa kept his team’s hopes alive with his low-cross shot and equalized the score board in the dying minutes to spoil the party at the CM-XI camp. The CM-XI was led by Chief Minister Pema Khandu and APC-XI was captained by APC President Chopa Cheda.  

The Hangpan Dada Memorial Trophy on Football and Volleyball for Men and Women 2016-17, earlier known as the Chief Minister’s Trophy on Football and Volleyball for Men and Women, was renamed after Ashoka Chakra awardee Dada by Chief Minister Pema Khandu.

Earlier, before declaring the tournament open, Chief Minister Pema Khandu said that since Dada was enthusiastic about sports since his childhood, renaming the tournament was an appropriate way to not only appreciate Dada’s sacrifice for the nation, but also to encourage youths to take inspiration from the martyred hero and take up sports sincerely.

On the occasion, the documentary titled ‘Dada- the warrior hero’, released by the ADGPI of the Indian Army, showing glimpses of Dada’s life in the army leading up to his martyrdom, was also screened on the occasion.

Havildar Hangpan Dada was martyred while combating terrorists in Jammu & Kashmir on May 27, 2016. He succeeded in neutralising three terrorists and seriously injuring a fourth before laying down his life at nearly 12,500 feet. He was awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime military decoration on August 2016 for his bravery.

Also attending the programme, Dada’s maternal uncle L Wanglet and nephew Sunny Bangsia were felicitated by the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister. Appreciating the state government for its gesture of recognising the sacrifice of Dada by naming the state level tournament after the martyred soul, Wanglet extended love and regards of Dada’s wife Chasen Lowang, their family and the Nocte community.

Wanglet also appreciated the Indian Army for taking care of its fallen heroes.

Sports & Youth Affairs Parliamentary Secretary Nyamar Karbak also spoke on the occasion. 

 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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