Tura, October 08: Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma flagged off the final stage motocross of the three-day IV Dirt Endeavour Extreme, 2016, organized by the Garo Hills Adventure Moto-sports Association (GAMA) which concluded at Danakgre, Tura on Saturday evening.
Altogether there were 35 participants, including five from Shillong in the event this year, which was tougher and bigger than previous years. It included two days of Stage Rally which was flagged off from Tura, Danakgre in West Garo Hills on October 6, wherein the riders covered Bokmagre, Danak Dopgre, Okkapara-Mellim, Salmanpara, Dombagre and Zikzak in an off-road competition before halting at Ampati, South West Garo Hills. On October 7 morning, the riders were flagged off from Ampati who traversed through Jongchetpara, Gildinggre, Okkapara, Dengnakpara, Dengasi and Asibra on their way back to Tura.
In his brief address, the Chief Minister congratulated the members of GAMA for their wonderful initiative and expressed his happiness to see this event in Garo Hills becoming bigger and better. “Such sporting events give us the opportunity to connect with the rest of the world and tell them of the positive and good things happening here”, he said, adding that participants who come from outside can become the ambassadors who can connect the State with the rest of the world. It is important to have such events, not only to provide a platform for the young talents in various fields, but also help to spread positive stories about the region, he added.
He also informed the gathering that the State Government has earmarked dedicated funds such activities for every district, be it culture or sporting events, and encouraged youth organizations to make use of these funds to motivate the youth and showcase their potentialities. He also announced of his plan to have this event in a much bigger way in the coming years.
Later, the Chief Minister gave away the trophies and prizes to the winners of the event. Pauminthang Vaiphei of Shillong was the champion of the motocross, while Chau Naglin Chowhin and Balbo P Marak bagged the second and third prizes, respectively. In the Stage Rally also Pauminthang Vaiphei bagged the first prize, Balbo P. Marak got the second prize and Chau Naglin Chowhin won the third prize.
Earlier, South Tura Legislator, John Leslee Sangma in his welcome address, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Chief Minister for his support which enabled the Association to make the event bigger this year. The event on the final day was witnessed by a huge crowd and officials and leaders of the district, including the MDCs Rupert M. Sangma, Jimbirth Marak and Righteous Sangma.
