KHARANG:
Lady Keane College of Shillong has bagged the inaugural Khasi Hills Challenge 1.0 championship beating rivals Shillong Momo Flavours and Annie Margaret Barr Children’s Village as they won the second and third positions in the corporate event of the maiden wooden kart race held at Kharang.
Organised by the Kharang Sports, the ‘ball bearing race’ is the first of such race in the country to promote local indigenous sports and is being sponsored by the Sports and Youth Affairs department.
In the mountain bike challenge (XCO), Shillong Press Club’s Kevin John Khyllait won the first prize (1.52 hour) to complete the 26km trail while Gilbertson Wahlang (1.55 hour) of South West Khasi Hills district and Pynshngain Lyngkhoi (1.57 hour) bagged the second prize and third prize respectively.
Khyllait, hailing from Longki Ingding of Eastern West Khasi Hills district, was sponsored by the Shillong Press Club for his races this year.
The ‘ka bol bearing race’ was also organised to promote the use of sustainable and environment friendly indigenous sports and in all over 50 enthusiastic participants took part, Banjop, the club’s adviser and spokesperson said in a statement issued here.
Indigenously designed wooden karts are found across the length and breadth of the Khasi Jaintia Hills and these wooden karts have been the environment-friendly workhorse of the people since time immemorial, he said, adding that organizing such an event is to promote the use of eco-friendly and fun karts among the youths
Earlier, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh, who flagged of the Kart race appreciated the Club and their initiatives and pledged the government support in the upcoming Khasi Hills Challenge 2.0.
Kharang village sordar (chief) Langbor Nongpluh flagged off the MTB event and over 30 participants registered for the maiden race.
According to the Club, the trail for the MTB XCO event has been designed with a lot of technical spots and riders have to be extremely cautious.
“It is one of the best in India and even better that the recently concluded MTB national event held at Pune,” Kevin, who also represented the state at the event, said.