Shillong, Sept 21: Gabil Mahari were crowned champions of the 4th Women’s Inter Mahari Football Tournament after defeating defending champions Mangsang Mahari 3-2 in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw in regulation time at the P.A. Sangma Stadium in Tura on Monday.
The final was played over 30-minute halves, with both teams unable to break the deadlock during a goalless first half. Mangsang’s Santila Sangma was shown a yellow card in the 27th minute for a foul.
Gabil finally broke the deadlock in the 49th minute when Norik G. Momin found the back of the net. Mangsang responded six minutes later, with Fretha Sangma scoring in the 55th minute to restore parity.
Neither side could find a winning goal in the remaining minutes, sending the final to a penalty shootout. Gabil converted three of their five penalties, while Mangsang managed to score twice from their five attempts to hand Gabil the championship.
The victory saw Gabil reverse last year’s result, when Mangsang Mahari won the title and Gabil finished runners-up. The two sides met again in this year’s final, but Gabil emerged victorious this time.
Gabil’s Norik G. Momin, who scored the opening goal in the final, was named Best Player of the Match, while Mangsang’s Dodime M. Sangma received the Best Player of the Tournament award.
Rahina G. Momin of Gabil finished as the tournament’s highest scorer with five goals, while Bonchira G. Momin, also of Gabil, was named Best Goalkeeper. Maji Mahari received the Best Discipline Mahari award.
Proley M. Sangma of Kokwal was named the Oldest Player of the tournament, while Leona Bonkamchi A. Sangma of Agitok received the Best Team Manager award.
The women’s final was played in front of a large gathering of spectators who turned up to support their respective Maharis. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma was among those present at the P.A. Sangma Stadium, where he also witnessed the men’s final.
The final was also attended by Rangsakona MLA Subir Marak, West Garo Hills Superintendent of Police Abraham T. Sangma, West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Vibhor Agarwal and Tura Municipal Board Chairman J. D. Sangma, among other officials and invited guests.
Entertainment during the women’s final included a half-time dance performance by LAISVE Dance Academy, a musical performance by Rikram Mrong and a cover rendition of “Pandu Dolong” by the Tura Music Academy.
The Chief Minister congratulated all the participating teams, organisers and supporters for making the Mahari Cup 2026 a memorable celebration of sport and community. The tournament also featured the felicitation of Meghalaya-based music group Riprap Band.
This year the tournament featured 52 teams (both men and women) representing different Maharis, with the state government sanctioning Rs. 11 lakh through the Chief Minister’s Special Grant (CMSG), besides Rs. 5.2 lakh for the participating teams.
