The excitement escalated at the 9th State-level Hangpan Dada Memorial Trophy (U-16) as the volleyball tournament officially commenced at the Siyom Army ground in the West Siang district on Sunday. A packed schedule saw a total of 12 volleyball matches played alongside a grueling lineup of 18 football league matches, featuring both boys’ and girls’ categories.
The boys’ football segment witnessed some dominant performances and tactical stalemates. Upper Subansiri stole the spotlight with a resounding 5-0 victory over Lower Dibang Valley, while Leparada delivered a strong performance to defeat Tirap 5-1. Itanagar Capital and Papum Pare both secured comfortable 3-0 victories against Pakke-Kessang and West Kameng, respectively. Meanwhile, Kamle defeated Kra Daadi 2-0, and Keyi Panyor edged past Shi-Yomi 2-1. Namsai gained three points via a walkover against Bichom, while the encounters between Lohit and Kurung Kumey, East Kameng and Upper Siang, and Changlang and Lower Siang all ended in draws.
In the girls’ football category, Kurung Kumey took center stage with a convincing 6-1 thrashing of Lower Dibang Valley. West Siang and Bichom both registered confident 3-0 wins against Leparada and Tawang, respectively. Kamle managed a close 2-1 win over Anjaw, while Lower Siang, East Kameng, and Itanagar Capital all secured narrow 1-0 victories over their respective opponents. Papum Pare and Tirap fought out the solitary goalless draw of the girls’ division.
The newly commenced volleyball event also delivered high-energy action. In the boys’ division, Kamle, Lower Siang, Papum Pare, and Tirap all secured straight-set victories. West Siang and Upper Subansiri had to fight harder, both edging out their opponents 2-1. In the girls’ volleyball matches, Bichom and Lower Siang dominated their games, both securing clean 2-0 victories.
