Shillong, Lber 27L Assam Rifles organised the second edition of the Assam Rifles Annual Women’s Football Tournament for teams across all the states of North East. Branded as the Sentinels Cup in line with Sobriquet of Assam Rifles ‘Sentinels of the North East’.
Seven women football teams from Meghalaya, Assam, Nagaland, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Assam Rifles voluntarily participated in the tournament. The first phase of the tournament was conducted at Lokra, Assam.
Semifinals were played between team of Assam Rifles and Meghalaya and second semi final was between teams from Tripura and Assam. The finals was contested between teams from Assam Rifles and Tripura on 27 Mar 2025 amongst the beautiful backdrop of the East Khasi Hills at the Laitkor Garrison of the Assam Rifles at Shillong.
The second edition of Sentinels Cup commenced on 16 Mar 2025 at Lokhra, Assam with a grand opening ceremony. Each and every match of the tournament was keenly contested with competitive sportspersons spirit.
The tournament saw ups and downs in team positions with some fiercely contested close games. The best two teams competed for the final match. The best two teams competed for the coveted trophy and cash prize of Rs 3,50,000/- for winner.
The finals of the Sentinel Cup was played between teams of Assam Rifles and Tripura. Team from Assam Rifles emerged as winners of the Second edition of the Sentinels Cup Football Tournament 2025.
The event was graced by Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera, AVSM, SM, Director General Assam Rifles & Mrs Vibha Lakhera, President ARWWA. The medals for the event were given by Mrs Vibha Lakhera, President ARWWA and the trophies were presented by Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera AVSM, SM. The spectators were entertained with some quality football displayed by the highly skilled, motivated and competitive footballers from both the teams.
Assam Rifles, the Force which prides itself in being ‘Friends of the North East’ is promoting sports as an instrument for motivating the youth to stay away from insurgency and drugs and also to identify the abundant talent of North East for future growth.
Assam Rifles also has an MoU with the Bhaichung Bhutia Football Academy in its residential Assam Rifles Public School (Sports) for tapping the football talent of the North East with the intent of boosting Government of India Initiatives of *Khelo India Abhiyan* and *Fit India Movement.
