December 2, 2024
December 2, 2024
NAHARLAGUN, Mar 11: Arunachal Press Club (APC) XI on Saturday trounced Chief Minister’s 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.
Organised by the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, the match played at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here had to be decided through penalty shootout as the match ended in 2-2 draw, compelling the referee to call for tie breaker.
3-0 (5-2) was the score by the end of in favour of APC XI.
In the exciting penalty shootout, CM-XI’s Pani Taram, Mohesh Chai and team captain Pema Khandu missed their chances as spectacular saves by APC-XI goalkeeper Kalley Cheda kept the trio at bay.
From APC-XI, Duru Soki, Dogin Randa and Mathew Balo managed to easily find the net and this accordingly sealed the victory for APC-XI.
Earlier, barely six minutes into the game Likha Saaya’s early score put the CM-XI ahead of APC-XI. However, APC-XI’s Joram Aka Bhai equalized the score with his close range shot beating CM-XI goalkeeper Karbia Dodum in the 15th minute. Gumnya Karbak added a second goal for CM-XI in 60 minutes, putting the team in a commanding position.
Though APC-XI striker Sonam Tabri Dada missed the penalty shootout, but midfielder Dogin Randa kept his teams 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.
A 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 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 and Youth Affairs Parliamentary Secretary Nyamar Karbak also spoke on the occasion.
