Lt Col Robert TA Memorial Football Tournament concludes
Source: The Sangai Express
Senapati, February 22 2022:
Lt Col Robert TA Memorial Football Tournament organised by the 33 Assam Rifles, Maram, Senapati district from February 17 came to an end today in the presence of P Chingpai Geneveive, spouse of late Lt Col Robert TA and Colonel Arnab Mitra, Commandant, Maram Battalion as guest of honour and chief guest respectively.
Altogether, 16 teams participated in the tournament organised at Battalion Headquarters Maram under the AR Civic Action Programme in memory of the late Army officer and to promote sports.
The final match cum closing function saw attendance of hundreds of people including family of Lt Col Robert TA and enthusiastic Maram Nagas.
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Late Lt Col Robert TA, who laid down his life in an avalanche in North Sikkim Sector on May 14, 2020 was the first Army Officer from Maram Naga Community.
He joined the Indian Army in 2004 through Technical Entry Scheme (TES) & passed out from Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.
The 38 years old young officer was an avid sportsman and adventurous person.
The final match was played between Kaba Duikung FC and Falcons FC wherein Kaba Duikung FC emerged winners with a lone goal struck in the first half of the play.
The winners and runners up were presented with trophies and cash prizes of Rs 25,000 and Rs 20,000 respectively.
Ephisan of Kaba Duikung FC and Kabupa of Falcons FC were adjudged best player and best goalkeeper of the tournament.
The players were also awarded medals and certificates.
The Maram Kavanam Dance troupe presented a cultural programme after the first half of the final match.
Addressing media persons on the sidelines of the programme, Colonel Arnab Mitra, Commandant, Maram Battalion stated that the tournament was conducted in memory of (Late) Lt Col Robert TA who was the first Maram Naga to get commissioned to the Indian Army in 2004 .
He was commissioned into the Engineer regiment.
In the year 2020 while on expedition in North Sikkim, Col Robert attained martyrdom, he recalled.
16 teams from all around the local villages participated at the tournament as they all knew him for being an iconic figure amongst the Maram Naga community, he said while lauding the all the teams for showing their zeal and fun in the tourney.
The army officer further mentioned that he is hopeful to conduct such a tournament every year in remembrance of the young army officer as the battalion resides there at Maram.