First time clans’ football

SHILLONG, JAN 22: For the first time in the history of the Khasi – Jaintia hills, a football tournament of over 3000 clans of the different Himas will be held on January 27 aiming to have a clear perception of the matrilineal and patrilineal lineage – locally known as ‘Tipkur – Tipkha’.

The first Inter-Hima/Elaka – Seng Samla Kur Knock-Out Football Tournament will be held at Smit village, 16 kilometers away from Shillong.

The event is being organized jointly by the Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya (GCCM) along with the Seng Samla Smit Pyllun and Regional Sports, Arts and Cultural Academy, Smit.

“The tournament is strictly meant for the youth body (Seng Samla) of the clans from different parts of Khasi and Jaintia Hills region,” GCCM chairman John F Kharshiing told reporters at a news conference on Thursday.

According to him, so far as many as 3367 different clans of the two regions have been compiled. On the objective of the event, Kharshiing said, “Through football, a sport which is mostly loved by youths, we want to create awareness about matrilineal and patrilineal lineages.”

According to him, there are clans having different names but belongs to the same mother clan.

There are certain cases where people have completely no knowledge that they are related to each other. With this in mind, we have decided to take forward in clearing such confusion by organizing a football tournament, he added.

Stating that it is also a wakeup call for streamlining the system, Kharshiing said, “Through this event, we also want to urge the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) to address to the issues confronting the clans.” According to him, there are certain issues related to spelling of the clans which has created a lot of confusion and needs to be corrected.

“This is to prevent from unwanted situation,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kharshiing said that altogether 24 clans have come forward to participate in the first ever inter-Hima/Elaka football tournament.

In the opening match, Seng Samla Kur Lyngdoh Nongbri from Hima Khyriem will be playing against Seng Samla Kur Syiemlieh from Hima Nongkhlaw and second match by Seng Samla Kur Tariang of Hima Mylliem vrs Seng Samla Kur Swer of Elaka Rymbai, he said.

Kharshiing informed that the winner will take away cash prize of Rs 15, 000 and the runner up clan – Rs 7000.- By Our Reporter

 

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