Sadar Hills, Ukhrul victorious as 5th Hill Districts' Sports Meet 2019 kicks off

Our Correspondent
KANGPOKPI, Jul 2 : The 5th edition of the  prestigious sports event of the hill districts christened Inter Hill Districts' Sports Meet organised by Hill Districts' Sports Association, Manipur (HIDSAM), an apex body of hill districts sports organization, with an aim to promote unity through sports kicked off today at Brig M Thomas Ground at Kangpokpi DHQs.
The sports meet organized by HIDSAM and hosted by District Sports Association Sadar Hills (Kangpokpi) was remarkably inaugurated by ADC Sadar Hills Chairman, Haokholal Hangshing as chief guest in the presence of Edmund Chiphang, Executive Member, ADC Ukhrul, Lunthang Haokip, Member ADC Sadar Hills and officials of HIDSAM and DSA Sadar Hills.
To mark the inauguration of the tournament which will culminate on July 6, the ADC Sadar Hills Chairman kicked in a ball inside the playground after inspection of players with other dignitaries and officials.
“Winning is important in the tournament but brotherhood fraternity, cordial relationship, love and understanding is much more important as the tournament aims to bring unity among us through this sports and therefore losing or winning in this tournament is same for all”, said Haokholal Hangshing.
Speaking to media persons, Lhunkhon Chongloi, general secretary of HIDSAM said that the Inter Hill Districts Sports Meet is annually organized to create a platform and bring unity among the hill people through sports while adding that there have been visible changes ever since the tournament was introduced in the year 2013 and it will definitely bring all the hill people together for a better change.
The enthralling opening match between JSYC representing DSA Sadar Hills and DSA Chandel ended 2-1 in favour of DSA Sadar Hills. Had DSA Chandel converted the penalty kick in the second half, the result would have been different.
DSA Sadar Hills found the lead in the 13th minute off a penalty kick taken by Khaikhogin after its striker was brought down inside the penalty area while Thangkhosiem  doubled the lead in the 46th minute.
DSA Chandel came back with better form in the second half to pull back a goal through Thumtha in the 50th minute and almost draw level when a direct penalty kick was awarded to them latter on but they squandered the chance  giving DSA Sadar Hills the edge at the end.
In the second match, DSA Ukhrul had a comfortable 4-1 win over DSA Tamenglong under the heavy shower to register their first win in the tournament. Tangva Ragui (16'), RGSangmi Vashum (27', 29') Juhan Keishing (54') scored for DSA Ukhrul while AK Keininglung scored the solitary goal of DSA Tamenglong in the 14th minute.
DSA Senapati will play DSA Ukhrul tomorrow, in the first match at 1 pm while DSA Chandel will lock horns with DSA Churachandpur in the second match.
Meanwhile, women’s volleyball will also begin tomorrow morning at the same venue where DSA Tamenglong will take on DSA Senapati in the first match and DSA Sadar Hills will play DSA Churachandpur.
DSA Churachandpur become the first champion when it won the introductory tournament and DSA Sadar Hills retained championship for the next two years while DSA Churachandpur comeback to seize the champion title in the 4th edition at Senapati.