Ukhrul to host AR's Major Bob Khathing Memorial Sports Meet 2025

Mungchan Zimik
UKHRUL, Feb 6: The 18th Assam Rifles under the aegis of 10 Sector Assam Rifles Somsai, Ukhrul, is all set to host the 11th edition of Major Bob Khathing Memorial Sports Meet at Ukhrul district Headquarters to  commemorate the 113th birth anniversary of the legend Late Major Bob Khathing Ralengnao.
Speaking to this correspondent, Capt Abhishek stated that the sports week will begin from February 20 and will culminate with a wreath laying ceremony on February 28 to mark "our respect and honour to our National hero."
The grand opening ceremony will feature a football match of the defending champions.
The day will also mark the beginning of the 5th edition of the Baby League Football Tournament (U-12) and the 8th edition of Women's volleyball Tournament at the Wino Assam Rifles ground.
The men's football  tournament will be organised at the district Headquarters ground.
According to Abhishek, the tournament is open to all sport loving clubs of the district and the entry fee is Rs 3,000 for men's football, Rs 1000 for the women's volleyball and free for baby league.
Selection of teams will be based on first come first basis.
He also mentioned that players screening and managers' meet will be held on Monday (February 10).
The winning teams will be awarded a cash prize of Rs 1,00,000; Rs 60,000 and Rs 25,000 for the men's football, women's Volleyball and Baby league respectively.
Major Bob Khathing was a soldier, civil servant and diplomat who served the country in different capacities with fullest dedication for the cause of the Nation.
Maj Khathing was born on February 8, 1912 in Ukhrul in Manipur and was the first tribal from Manipur to graduate.
During World War-II, he became the first Manipuri to get the King’s Commission, and under him brought Tawang under the Indian administration.
Beside his military service, he was elected as a Member to Manipur Assembly in 1948 representing the Sadar Constituency and served as the Minister for Hills Administration and Manipur Rifles till the Assembly was dissolved in 1949, upon assimilation into the Indian Union.
He was a recipient of Padma Shri, a member of the Order of the British Empire Military Cross and C-in-C Gallantry Certificate.