HT Bureau
DIPHU, May 16: Jaipong Football Club lifted the Hmar Martyr’s Trophy, 2022, by defeating Dongmukak Football Club in a final match played here at Karbi Anglong Sports Association (KASA) stadium on Monday.
The tournament was organised by Sinlung Football Club, Diphu, in memory of those Hmar youths who died in the May 16, 1989 incident in Mizoram when there was an altercation between Hmar volunteers of Hmar Peoples Committee (HPC) and Mizoram police leading to the death of Hmar volunteers.
During the prize distribution function the president of Hmar Youth Association (HYA), headquartered at Laldawnlien Varte said the tournament is new in Karbi Anglong. The tournament is 31 years old.
It was on May 16, 1989, that the HPC volunteers confronted Mizoram police leading to the death of two Hmar volunteers. Later incidents of HPC volunteers with Mizoram police led to the death of 42 more. In other clashes in 1966 and 1959, several Hmar youths lost their lives. Taking into account all these incidents Hmar Martyr’s Day is observed on May 16 from 1989 said Varte.
He also said in Karbi Anglong Hmar people are around 500 to 600. To commemorate the day the Hmar people of Karbi Anglong have organised the Hmar Martyr’s Trophy and this is the second edition. Rs. 50,000 has been given as a cash prize to the winning team which can be increased from the next edition.
The winning team Jaipong FC was awarded a trophy and a cash prize of Rs. 50,000, while the Runners-up team Dongmukak FC was awarded a trophy and cash prize of Rs. 30,000.
The Player of the Tournament was adjudged to Romarius Laban of Jaipong FC, while the Best Defender Prohit and Best Midfielder Dhanjit were of Jaipong FC. The Best Goalkeeper Gobin Terang and Highest Scorer Levis Marak were of Dongmukak FC.
