Sports in Tripura: From medals at Asian Masters meet to football at home
Agartala, Nov 8: Tripura’s sporting spirit shone brightly this weekend as athletes, footballers, and sporting officials made headlines across multiple disciplines. From medal-winning performances at the Asian Masters Athletics Championship in Chennai to the felicitation of Japanese judo coaches in Agartala, the state’s sports arena witnessed a flurry of inspiring events. The launch of the Vaikuntha Nath Memorial Women’s League Football Tournament and North District’s twin triumphs in the Under-14 State Football Championship further underscored Tripura’s growing commitment to nurturing talent and promoting sports at every level.
Tripura Athletes Shine at Asian Masters Athletics Meet
Tripura athletes made the state proud by bagging three medals at the 23rd Asian Masters Athletics Championship in Chennai. Their stellar performances at the Nehru Stadium on Saturday earned India two silver and one bronze medal in different track and field events.
In the women’s 35+ category, Sahanara Begum won silver in the 400-metre race and finished fourth in the 200-metre sprint. Despite limited training facilities in Ambassa, where she works, Sahanara’s performance stood out at the continental stage.
Meanwhile, Shefali Bardhan, competing in the women’s 75+ category, secured silver in the 200-metre dash and bronze in the long jump, maintaining her consistent form in masters athletics. Jaba Pal Dutta, from the 60+ category, finished sixth in both the triple jump and 300-metre events.
Tripura Masters Athletics Association Secretary Ashis Pal confirmed the medal tally and lauded the athletes for their dedication and achievements.
Japanese Judo Coaches Honoured by Tripura Olympic Association
The Tripura Olympic Association (TOA) on Saturday hosted a felicitation ceremony for three visiting Japanese judo coaches, acknowledging their contribution to training and sports exchange. The event, held at a city hotel’s banquet hall, saw the presence of several eminent guests and sports administrators.
Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Tinku Roy, North East Sports Association General Secretary John F. Kharsing, Meghalaya Olympic Association Working President, and senior officials of the Youth Affairs and Sports Department attended the function.
The Japanese coaches — Yuko Fushi, Yushi Yuno, and Takeshi Kubo — were warmly welcomed with floral bouquets and Tripura’s traditional risha. TOA Secretary Sujit Roy delivered the welcome address, while Minister Roy praised the coaches for strengthening Indo-Japan sporting ties and commended TOA for its initiative in promoting martial arts training in the state.
Women’s Football League Kicks Off in Agartala
The Vaikuntha Nath Memorial Women’s League Football Tournament, organized by the Tripura Football Association (TFA), is set to kick off on Sunday with all preparations complete.
The opening match between Tripura Police and Phulo Zhanu Club will start at 1 PM, followed by a formal inauguration at 5 PM. The tournament will see six teams battle it out in a single-league-cum-super-league format, with three matches every day at 1 PM, 3 PM, and 5 PM under floodlights.
Speaking at a press meet, TFA Secretary Amit Chowdhury and Vice Presidents Chanchal Nandi and Amit Deb shared details of the tournament, which offers a ₹20,000 prize for the champion team and ₹15,000 for the runners-up. The Fair Play award carries ₹2,000, and each game will have a “Player of the Match” recognition.
The Kalyani Dey Foundation will also present ₹2,000 to the tournament’s highest goal scorer.
North Dist Clinch Double Titles in U-14 State Football C’ship
North District footballers achieved a remarkable double triumph by winning both the boys’ and girls’ titles in the Under-14 State Football Championship held on Saturday.
In the girls’ final at the Tripura Sports School synthetic turf ground, North District outplayed Unakoti District with a convincing 4–0 victory. Tuhina Chakma scored twice, while Sujata Debbarma and Lalmuiya Reang added one goal each. West District Sports Officer Shantanu Sutradhar distributed prizes after the final.
Earlier, Unakoti had defeated South District 4–0, and North District had overcome Gomati 2–0 in the semifinals.
At Mayachhara School Ground in Kamalpur, the boys’ team from North District crushed West District 6–0 to secure the championship title. Khomendra Reang starred with four goals, including a hat-trick, while Mansum Tripura and Davidjoy Reang added one goal apiece.
The tournament concluded with a prize distribution ceremony celebrating the young football talents who showcased exceptional skill and sportsmanship throughout the event.
