UKHRUL: The 68th Shomi Memorial Sports Meet, organized by the Thawaijao Hungpung Youth Students’ Organization (THYSO), was inaugurated on Monday at the Bakshi Mini Stadium in Hungpung, Ukhrul District.
The meet is a long-standing tradition honoring the village’s first graduate and a celebrated sportsman. It was marked by inspiring calls for discipline, peace, and love for the motherland from the dignitaries present.
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Yuireikan Hungyo, SDC Ukhrul, attended as the Guest of Honour, while A.S. George Wungnaorar, former THYSO president and son of Dominic Shomi A.S. as the Functional president and Raimei Jangmei, SDC Ukhrul DC as the Special Guests.
THYSO President Hubert Lunghar extended a warm welcome, emphasizing community participation. “If you want the sports meet to be organised better or greater,” he stated, “only the leaders and organizer are not responsible for it.” He further used the occasion to send a strong message: “Say No to drugs and to living a disciplined life through this sports meet.”
Leishiyo Keishing, MLA of Phungyar Constituency and the Chief Guest, underscored the historical significance of the host villages. He noted that “Hunphun and Hungpung plays a great role in shaping the Tangkhul. Without them there is no shape.” He linked societal progress directly to harmony, stating, “If there is peace there is development, if there is no peace all the development will break apart.” He concluded by advocating for a life of discipline and good manners as the foundation for peace.
The sports meet will feature a competition among 15 football teams. The inaugural ceremony included a lively March Past, with six contingents participating.
Philson Y. Lunghar, interacting with journalists, provided the historical context of the memorial meet. He recounted that Somi Dominic was the first graduate of Hungpung Village and a prominent sportsman who was part of the Indian Hockey team and also played Polo.
“He convened the THYSO,” Mr. Lunghar stated. “After graduation he came home and dedicated his time in being a prominent leader and the people adored him.”
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Following his passing in 1966, the Christmas sports meet organized by THYSO was renamed the Shomi Memorial Sports Meet. He also noted that Somi Dominic was instrumental in bringing the Catholic faith to Hungpung.
The sports meet is named after him, as Mr. Lunghar explained, “so that his greatness, his dedication, unity in people during leadership may continue in the village in the coming generations.”