PASIGHAT, AUG 31:
SOMACS and Commerce emerged champions in the boys’ and girls’ categories respectively at the Arunachal Pradesh University (APU) Futsal Fiesta 2026, which concluded at the PJ Arena here on Sunday.
Commerce defeated SOMACSMAS 1-0 in the girls’ final, while SOMACS, comprising Sociology, Mathematics and Computer Science, defeated English-Hindi 4-1 to claim the boys’ title. SOMACSMAS and English-Hindi finished runners-up in the respective categories.
The tournament was held from August 28 to 30 under the theme “Play, Unite and Celebrate” as part of APU’s National Sports Day celebrations. The event aimed to promote physical fitness, student participation and a sporting culture on the university campus.
Individual honours in the girls’ category went to Taro Yaring of SOMACSMAS as Best Player, Minam Pangu of Commerce as Highest Scorer and Gebom Romin of Tribal Studies as Best Goalkeeper. In the boys’ category, SOMACS players swept the individual awards, with Anggit Moyong named Best Player, Ojing Ngukir Best Goalkeeper and Kangkeng Modi Highest Scorer.
Addressing the gathering after the prize distribution, APU Registrar Narmi Darang congratulated the winners and appreciated the participation and sporting spirit displayed by all teams. He said the tournament was aimed not only at competition but also at bringing students together, encouraging an active lifestyle and strengthening the sporting culture of the university.
Darang expressed hope that future editions would include more sporting disciplines to provide wider opportunities for student participation. He also acknowledged the contribution of APUSU Sports Secretary Kada Libang and Dr Yab Rajiv Camder Assistant Professor and Chairman of the Sports and Cultural Committee in organising the tournament.
The three-day event featured several closely contested matches. The concluding day saw SOMACS defeat Tribal Studies 5-1 in the boys’ semifinal, while English-Hindi edged Education 4-3 on penalties after a 3-3 draw. A friendly exhibition match between the Academic Block and Administrative Block, featuring faculty and staff, was also held on the final day.
The tournament formed part of the university’s observance of National Sports Day, celebrated annually in honour of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand.
