Chambugong, Gabil emerge champions as Inter Mahari Basketball Tournament fosters Garo clan unity

Tura, July 18: Chambugong Mahari clinched the men’s title while Gabil Mahari edged out Koknal Mahari in a nail-biting women’s final to emerge champions of the 2nd Inter Mahari Basketball Tournament 2026, which concluded at Don Bosco College Basketball Court in Tura on Friday.

Organised by the Krimkro Socio Cultural Club, New Tura, in collaboration with the District Sports Office and the District Basketball Association, Tura, the month-long tournament brought together members of different Garo Maharis, blending competitive sport with community bonding.

The women’s final produced the tournament’s most dramatic moment, with Gabil Mahari snatching a 49-48 victory over Koknal Mahari. Trailing in the closing seconds, Gabil capitalised on a crucial turnover before scoring the winning basket with just two seconds remaining.

In the men’s final, Chambugong Mahari defeated A·Gitok Mahari 74-64 to lift the championship trophy after an impressive run through the tournament.

A total of 22 men’s teams and eight women’s teams participated in the championship, making it one of the largest clan-based basketball tournaments in the Garo Hills.
Champions in both categories received ₹50,000, while the runners-up were awarded ₹25,000, along with trophies and certificates.

Among the individual award winners, Goera Chambugong Marak was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Top Scorer in the men’s category, while Lema Koknal Marak claimed both honours in the women’s category. Bonita Gabil Momin and Jaseng A·Gitok Sangma received the Everlasting Fit Player awards in the women’s (35+) and men’s (40+) categories respectively.The closing ceremony was attended by Rangsakona MLA Subir M. Marak, who said the tournament had grown into more than a sporting event by strengthening ties among the Garo Maharis. He noted that while the A’chik community comprises numerous clans, opportunities for interaction are often limited, and sporting events such as the Inter Mahari Basketball Tournament help promote friendship, mutual understanding and unity.

Sponsored by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and supported by the State Bank of India, the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs and A-Care Hospitals, the tournament concluded with organisers reaffirming their commitment to using sports as a platform to preserve cultural identity and strengthen bonds within the Garo community.

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