Shillong, Aug 12: World Elephant Day was observed this week with football tournaments in Meghalaya and Assam that used sport to promote elephant conservation and community participation.
In South Garo Hills, the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) hosted the two-day ‘Mongma Cup Football Tournament’ at Mahadeo, bringing together 17 teams from villages around Mahadeo.
The event was inaugurated by Additional Superintendent of Police Agatha Christy A. Sangma who urged youth to take sports and community activities seriously and to play a role in driving positive change.
WTI OIC, B. T. Sangma highlighted the importance of involving local communities, especially youth, in conservation. Participants took a collective pledge to promote peaceful coexistence between people and wildlife and to protect forests and rivers of the Garo Hills.
WTI Chief of Conservation Sandeep Tiwari said football can channel youth energy toward protecting forests, wildlife and biodiversity.
Sandeep Sangma of Maheskola Police Station and Rohit Sangma, Principal, Mahadeo High School, also attended.
In Naguapara on the Assam-Meghalaya border, the Forest Departments of Assam and Meghalaya along with Aaranyak organised the fourth edition of the Elephant Cup Football Tournament at Naguapara Upper Primary School playground.
The event brought together forest officials and communities from both states to celebrate shared responsibility for conserving elephants across the transboundary landscape.
Three competitive matches were played. The Meghalaya community team defeated Assam 2–0, the Assam Forest Department team beat Meghalaya 3–1, and the Meghalaya women’s team won 2–1 against Assam.
A friendly match between a combined Assam-Meghalaya Forest Department team and the Naguapara regional team was also held.
Winning teams received cash prizes of ₹10,000 and ₹5,000 from Goalpara Forest Division along with certificates and medals.
Officials noted that with elephants moving across state boundaries in Northeast India, cooperation between forest departments and communities is essential. Over the past four years, the Elephant Cup has used football to foster dialogue, friendship and inclusive engagement, including women’s participation.
