Tripura, 13 Jan 2026: The four-day-long Bhagwan Birsa Munda Inter-Tribal Hostel Football Tournament concluded at Umakanta Mini Stadium with an exciting final. In the girls’ category, the Gomati district team emerged as champions by defeating the West district team 5–0. In the boys’ category, the Gomati district team also lifted the title after a dominant 6–0 victory over the Sepahijala district team.
Addressing the gathering as the chief guest at the closing ceremony, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Tinku Roy paid tribute to Bhagwan Birsa Munda and Swami Vivekananda on the occasion of National Youth Day, which marks the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. He said that although Tripura is a small state, it is steadily progressing in the field of sports. Quoting Swami Vivekananda, he mentioned that playing football on the field is more beneficial than sitting in temples and only performing prayers, as sports help in developing a healthy body, mind, and strong character. Regular sports activities enhance mental strength and overall well-being.
The Minister stated that significant development has taken place in the sports sector over the last five years, which was not seen during earlier regimes. Under the joint initiative of the Youth Affairs and Sports Department and the Tribal Welfare Department, 14 synthetic turf football grounds have already been constructed across the state. These are not limited to urban areas but have also been set up in tribal-dominated and remote regions such as Killa, Jampuijala, and Gangannagar.
He further highlighted that in 2024, Tripura’s tribal girls’ football team secured third place at the national-level tribal football tournament held in Odisha. He also mentioned that Devika Reang from Panisagar Sports School has been selected for the Indian team. Players from Tripura who have won gold, silver, and bronze medals at the national level are being given financial assistance of ₹1 lakh, ₹50,000, and ₹25,000 respectively. Additionally, under the Chief Minister’s Talent Search Scheme, promising players can receive financial support of up to ₹5 lakh. He appealed for everyone’s cooperation to further strengthen sports development in the state.
At the end of the tournament, Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma, along with other dignitaries, distributed prizes. Both the boys’ and girls’ champion teams were awarded cheques of ₹1 lakh each, along with trophies and certificates. The first runners-up in both categories received ₹75,000 each with trophies and certificates.
In the boys’ category, the second runners-up (third place) South District team received ₹50,000, while in the girls’ category, the second runners-up Dhalai District team was awarded ₹50,000, along with trophies and certificates.
Special individual awards were also presented:
Girls’ Top Scorer: Meta Jamatia – ₹10,000, trophy and certificate Boys’ Top Scorer: Kishanjit Reang – ₹10,000, trophy and certificate Girls’ Best Goalkeeper: Tina Jamatia – ₹10,000, trophy and certificate Boys’ Best Goalkeeper: Bisiram Debbarma – ₹10,000, trophy and certificate Girls’ Best Performer: Shuklarani Debbarma – ₹10,000, trophy and certificate Boys’ Best Performer: Suman Jamatia – ₹10,000, trophy and certificate
The Best 11 Players in both the girls’ and boys’ categories were awarded ₹1,000 each along with trophies and certificates.
The Fair Play Award in the girls’ category went to Damchhara ST Girls’ Hostel and in the boys’ category to Khowai Government ST Boys’ Hostel, each receiving ₹25,000 along with trophies and certificates.
In the girls’ category, Don Bosco ST Girls’ Hostel was awarded the First Runner-Up (Individual Medals) and First Runner-Up (Team Trophy). In the boys’ category, Don Bosco ST Boys’ Hostel received the First Runner-Up (Individual Medals), while Sepahijala received the First Runner-Up (Team Trophy).
For the champions:
Girls’ Champion (Individual Medals & Team Trophy): Ampinagar ST Girls’ Hostel Boys’ Champion (Individual Medals & Team Trophy): KBI ST Boys’ Hostel
The prize distribution ceremony was attended by Tribal Welfare Department Secretary K. Shashikumar, Additional Director Keshab Kar, and other senior officials. The tournament was organized by the Tribal Welfare Department.
