The third Gangakumar Memorial Cricket Tournament concluded in the Mandi ground cricket field of Khariar on Sunday last with the Bisnapali team as the winner in the final match held between Bijepur and Bisnapali.
The tournament, which was inaugurated on December 7 by Sudiskhita Das, Principal of the Little Star Public School; witnessed participation of 16 teams. The tournament was organised by the Sahid Bhagatsingh Club of Khariar. Many dignitaries had been invited as guests on different days to witness the matches who praised the efforts of the club to create opportunity for rural youths to exhibit their talents.
"When there is hardly any Government support for nourishing the young talents, the effort of Bhagatsingh Club is an eye-opener," said Tapan Das, who was the guest of honour in the semifinal match. "There is a need for establishment of a mini stadium at Khariar. Land has already been identified by the Revenue Department. The district administration should send a proposal to the Government for establishing the proposed stadium," he added.
Fanindam Deo, Shreekant Chatterjee, Nimai Tandi, Adhiraj Panigrahi, Pushpanjali Pande and many other dignitaries of Khariar attended the match on the final day. "We are trying our best to instil sportsman spirit among the youths and expect cooperation from all corners," said Surendra Kumar, the organiser of the tournament. All the youths of Bijepur village and the Ambedkar Nagar of Khariar were involved in organising the tournament.