Our Correspondent
IMPHAL, JANUARY 21
The closing ceremony of the 8 day long Bakhshi Memorial Football Tournament organised by the Aina Battalion was held at Parbung under Tipaimukh Sub Division in Manipur’s Churachandpur District bordering Mizoram and Myanmar. General Officer Commanding Red Shield Division, Major General P N Rao on was the Chief Guest at the closing function on Tuesday.The tournament was organised annually in the memory of Late Lt Col Rajeev Bakhshi from 13 Dogra, who laid his life while fighting against the underground elements and safe guarding the villagers of Lungthullen and Parbung on January 21, 2006.
A total of 21 matches were played between 18 teams of Parbung region. All the teams showcased their best skills, talent and spirit towards the game. The final was conducted on yesterday wherein 34 Assam Rifles team beat Lungthullen FC team by 1-0 goal to lift the title.
The winning team was conferred with the Bakhshi Memorial Trophy along with Rs. 10,000/- in cash prize and Lungthullen village received the Runners Up Trophy along with Rs. 7,000/- in cash. The Best Goalkeeper and Best Player were also awarded with a cash prize of Rs. 3,000/- each.Maj S K Joshi emerged as the highest scorer of the tournament and received special appreciation from the GOC.
The GOC while speaking on the occasion congratulated the winning team and complemented the sportsman spirit and enthusiasm shown by all the participating village teams. He also conveyed that the tournament is a tribute to Late Lt Col Rajeev Bakhshi whose spirit and sacrifice continue to inspire the people for whom he laid down his life in the finest traditions of the Army.
Earlier the General laid a wreath and paid tribute to Late Lt Col Rajeev Bakhshi at the renovated Bakhshi Memorial. Sub Sardari Lal of 13 Dogra along with Hav Vijay who were part of the same operation in which Late Lt Col Rajeev Bakhshi made the supreme sacrifice were also present.
