The Padma Shri Beni Chandra Jamatia Memorial Football Tournament 2025 concluded on a high note with its final match held on Sunday at the Debbari Senior Basic School ground in Debbari Jamatia village under the Amarpur subdivision. The tournament witnessed enthusiastic participation from players and spectators, emerging as a major grassroots sporting event in the region.
Organised by the Chubachu Foundation, the knockout football tournament began on November 23, 2025, and featured 20 teams representing various villages. The competition aimed not only to encourage sportsmanship but also to strengthen community bonding through football.
The final match was attended by several dignitaries, including Amarpur MLA Ranjit Das and Amarpur BAC Chairman Rabitra Jamatia. Founder of the Chubachu Foundation, Kamal Jamatia, was also present, along with members of the Jamatia Hoda Panchai, village Chokdiri, local representatives and other invited guests, adding significance to the closing ceremony.
In an exciting final, Nograi FC from Nograi village clinched the championship title. The winning team was awarded a cash prize of ₹30,000 along with a trophy and certificate. Gamaku village emerged as the runners-up and received ₹20,000, along with a trophy and certificate, for their commendable performance.
Following the final match, a colourful cultural programme was organised at the venue. The programme featured performances by popular local artistes, including Rumi Murasing, Manik Debbarma, Ishita Tripura, Jiten Jamatia and Shreya Jamatia, drawing a large crowd from nearby villages and adding to the festive atmosphere.
The organisers stated that the primary objective of the tournament was to promote a drug-free society at the grassroots level and to spread awareness about AIDS and HIV, particularly among rural youth. They emphasised that sports play a crucial role in keeping young people away from substance abuse while fostering discipline, unity and a healthy lifestyle.
Special appreciation was extended to the Hakwchak Football Committee for their dedicated efforts in ensuring the smooth conduct of the tournament from start to finish. Despite being a newly formed NGO, the Chubachu Foundation has already undertaken several social and developmental initiatives across Indigenous areas of Tripura.
The tournament received support and sponsorship from multiple organisations, including Swarnakamal Jeweller, the Department of Youth Affairs, Tripura State AIDS Control Society, TTAADC CEM Purna Chandra Jamatia, Dr Kahamnuk Jamatia (ICA Tripura), the Tribal Research Institute, Tripura Tourism and Tiyari Welfare Society. Local residents lauded the initiative and expressed hope that similar programmes would continue in the future to promote sports, culture and social awareness.
