Tura,September 21: Twenty taekwondo athletes from Garo Hills representing Meghalaya have brought laurels to the state by clinching 5 Gold, 6 Silver and 6 Bronze medals in the recently concluded 4th Open National All Martial Arts Games 2016 at Guwahati, Assam. Athletes from all over India including the northeastern states competed in the three day event held at Nehru Stadium, Guwahati, Assam from 16th September to 18th September 2016. The National tourney was organized by the Self Defence Association of Assam affiliated to the Self Defence Society of India.
During the three day event athletes competed in various martial arts disciplines including Jeet Kune-Do, Kick Boxing, Karate, Taekwondo and Wushu. The team from Garo hills representing Meghalaya led by their coach Osmond T Sangma, 2nd Dan Black Belt, Meghalaya Taekwondo Association competed in the Taekwondo event under sub junior, junior and senior categories.
The Meghalaya team comprised of athletes from East Garo Hills Taekwondo Association, Williamnagar, Rongreng Chidekgre Model Secondary School Taekwondo, Williamnagar and Tura Don Bosco Higher Secondary School Taekwondo, West Garo Hills.
Among the Gold Medalists was Agate Sangma, who happens to be the son of Taekwondo Coach Osmond T Sangma and has been consistently raking in laurels for the state in various national and international events. He was also awarded a state scholarship recently for his achievements.
Speaking to media persons Sangma said that the youth had tremendous potential in competitive martial arts but sadly there was dearth of sponsors. Lamenting the paucity of funds Sangma said that he had applied for funds under the Chief Minister’s Youth Development Scheme in Williamnagar, East Garo Hills but nothing was heard of it since.
Athletes in the field have amazing potential to shine and thrive provided they are given enough exposure by letting them join such competitions Sangma said. He informed that competing in such events required registration fees, fooding lodging etc amongst others which was hard to come by. Sangma however thanked all the benefactors who have made it possible for the athletes to join and compete in various tournaments.
He especially thanked leaders and citizens from Songsak and Williamnagar who made generous contributions besides the Principal of Tura Don Bosco School for his contribution towards bus fares for his students.
Among the medalists were Tengsme M Sangma (Gold), Mary Walnora Ch Marak (Gold), Clareth R A Sangma (Gold), Lasmania T Sangma (Gold), Kepash Sangma (Silver), Sengbina Marak (Silver),Rapse Sangma (Silver),Justin Momin (Silver),Anilbath Sangma (Silver),Chittobath Sangma (Silver),Aryasa G Momin (Silver), Dikkara A Sangma (Silver), Eunice D Shira (Silver), Marsang Momin (Bronze), Ranisha N Marak (Bronze), Ausilia Arengh (Bronze),Rikanchuak Sangma (Bronze), and Anthony Marak (Bronze).
